Dr. Joseph Cullen

Biography

Joe has served as the Steel Pan course instructor at the University of Toronto since its inception in 2006. His teaching experience extends to African drumming, jazz history, drum set, and he has led drumline music camps at various locations, including Yamaha Power Music Camp and CAMMAC music camp. Joe has taught steel pan in settings like the Iqaluit summer music camp in Nunavut and has participated in numerous summer programs. As a featured clinician and soloist at the 'Spirit Drum' festival at Laurentian University, he has established himself as a prominent figure in music education. A graduate of Humber College with a degree in Jazz Performance, Joe was honored with the Humber College Percussion Award. He has toured as a drummer with Caribbean show bands on cruise ships, which sparked his passion for the steel drum. He holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto and has accumulated 25 years of experience performing across Canada, where he has acted as lead percussionist and conductor. Joe has contributed to the Canadian Music Educator Journal for a decade and has adjudicated competitions such as Toronto's Caribana Pan Alive. He presents clinics at the OMEA conference and has been awarded a lifetime membership in Pan Trinbago, the governing body of steel pan in Trinidad. Currently, Joe is involved in teaching and mentoring students, having taught thousands about the rich history and repertoire of steel pan music over the past 27 years.

Research Interests