Dr. Joseph Henry, pianist and organist, is a graduate of prestigious American music schools. As a pianist, he received both Bachelor of Music (BM) and Master of Music (MM) degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the Manhattan School School of Music. As an organist, he received both Master’s (MM) and Doctoral (DMA) degrees from the University of Minnesota.

His doctoral work at the Manhattan School of Music was focused on the use of the piano in the operatic and art song repertory, and his dissertation, “The Evolution of Musical Form in Verdi’s Arias” shows a comprehensive understanding of Verdi’s compositional technique. His doctoral work at the University of Minnesota covered the music of over five centuries of organ repertory, and his dissertation, “Reinken’s An Wasserflussen Babylon as it relates to the process of improvisation in the seventeenth century” endeavors to show how great improvisers of the past might have approached their art.

He has taught at the University of Minnesota, Grambling State University, Concordia University, Union County College, and Louisiana Tech University.

The piano is one of the most gratifying instruments to study, and as a piano teacher, he has taught students of all age and ability levels. He has seen that dedicated and ambitious students can make quick progress. Technical training is an important focus of his teaching, and students at every level play scales and arpeggios. The beginning student learns to play legato by playing on the fingertips with curved fingers. Eventually these students are able to incorporate Hanon exercises into their daily practice regimes. Advanced students are introduced to Brahms’ 51 Exercises, Chopin’s 24 etudes opus 10 and 25, and Anton Rubinstein’s Staccato Etude.

As a twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Army, he performed as a keyboard player, vocal soloist and auxiliary percussionist in six different army bands. He was introduced to popular musical styles while in the army. He is a returned Peace Corps volunteer (TEFL Romania 1998-2000).

Dr. Joseph Henry currently serves as a piano faculty member at Prime Music Institute.