Dr. Joshua Straub is currently a resident of Austin, TX where he enjoys a multifaceted musical career and serves on faculty at The University of Texas at Austin. A presenter at many state, regional, national, and international conferences, his demonstrations have brought him into contact with some of the most influential educators from around the world. Recent presentations include appearances at the MTNA National Conferences in San Antonio, TX and Orlando, FL, the College Music Society's International Conference in Sweden and Finland, the ISME Regional Conference in Hong Kong, and the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference in Australia. Other presentations include appearances in Canada, Belgium, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oregon, and Texas. As an extension of his interest in the potential impact of music education, he recently co-wrote a paper with cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Kirsten Smayda and Dr. Ruby Chou detailing many of the benefits of learning piano in a group setting. This peer-reviewed paper, published as part of the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference Proceedings, is the result of a ten-week group piano course for older adults aiming to scientifically test the ability for music to impact the brain.
Joshua is also the director and co-founder of Beerthoven Craft, a program in partnership with the Beerthoven Concert Series that provides group piano lessons in a casual, fun environment, along with... beer! This innovative approach to music education allows classes to be set up virtually anywhere--an office, community space, retirement center, or even a brewery. The program received local and national attention from The Austin American-Statesman, Austin360, and Food & Wine magazine. So far, Joshua has taught seven classes at three different local breweries with plans for expansion to other venues in the near future, along with philanthropic functions. For more info, click to link below:
Joshua is also the director and co-founder of Beerthoven Craft, a program in partnership with the Beerthoven Concert Series that provides group piano lessons in a casual, fun environment, along with... beer! This innovative approach to music education allows classes to be set up virtually anywhere--an office, community space, retirement center, or even a brewery. The program received local and national attention from The Austin American-Statesman, Austin360, and Food & Wine magazine. So far, Joshua has taught seven classes at three different local breweries with plans for expansion to other venues in the near future, along with philanthropic functions. For more info, click to link below:
Recently, Josh began composing and producing music and his collaborations with adventure photographer Ryan Deboodt have been featured by National Geographic, the Smithsonian website, and reached over a million people. His belief in and passion for multidisciplinary work and its ability to have an impact on society is exemplified in his most recent film score for Saving Son Tra Now, a documentary aimed at raising awareness for the preservation and protection of the critically endangered red-shanked douc langur. It was recently selected for the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in New York City in October, 2019.
In addition to his commitment to the traditional Western canon, Joshua also frequently performs and commissions works by living composers. He has premiered and recorded several new works and also performed at The Clutch Concert Series, Gamma UT, Music at the Blanton, and the Fast Forward Austin concert series, among others. Works in these concerts ranged from Music for 18 Musicians and Piano Phase by Steve Reich, to a multidisciplinary collaboration with composer Kay He featuring video and electronic tape, along with the piano.
Joshua is on the executive board of the Beerthoven Concert Series, is an active member of MTNA and CMS, and is a former faculty member at Concordia University Texas.
In addition to his commitment to the traditional Western canon, Joshua also frequently performs and commissions works by living composers. He has premiered and recorded several new works and also performed at The Clutch Concert Series, Gamma UT, Music at the Blanton, and the Fast Forward Austin concert series, among others. Works in these concerts ranged from Music for 18 Musicians and Piano Phase by Steve Reich, to a multidisciplinary collaboration with composer Kay He featuring video and electronic tape, along with the piano.
Joshua is on the executive board of the Beerthoven Concert Series, is an active member of MTNA and CMS, and is a former faculty member at Concordia University Texas.
