BIOGRAPHY

Admired for his versatility, sensitivity, imagination, and colors, Joshua Pielemeier is a classical pianist from Washington State and currently residing in the Salt River Valley. In frequent demand as both a collaborative and solo pianist, Joshua performs widely in a variety of contexts: from accompanying choirs and vocalists, to collaborating for instrumental recitals and chamber concerts, to playing for liturgical services, as well as being an accomplished educator, arranger, composer, organist, and music program director.

Beginning his piano studies in Everett, Washington, Joshua excelled rapidly in local piano competitions, festivals, and performances, including being named a contest winner in the 2005 Seattle Young Artists’ Music Festival, going on to perform the first movement of Edward MacDowell’s Concerto No. 2 in D Minor with the Northwest Sinfonietta. He was also a medal winner in the 2004 NW Chopin Competition. Joshua went on to pursue academic studies in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music and University of Arizona. After a lengthy hiatus from school, he graduated wit his Master's of Music in Performance with a Concentration in Collaborative Piano, With Distinction, from Arizona State University in Spring 2024, under the astute direction and mentorship of of Dr. Miki Aoki and Dr. Andrew Campbell, also studying with Robert Hamilton. Joshua’s primary mentor and piano instructor has been Judy Baker, and other teachers have included Douglas Humphreys, Russell Ryan, John Milbauer, Tanis Gibson, and Marissa Ramos. He has received instruction from Gerardo Teissonnière and Leonard Richter, performed in public masterclasses for Nelita True, Barry Snyder, and Gerardo Teissonnière, and participated in chamber group coaching with the Eroica Trio and Brooklyn Rider String Quartet.

Recent performance experience includes the Piano Quintet No. 1 by Ernst von Dohnányi at the 2024 Oracle Chamber Music Festival, as well as orchestral pianist with the ASU Wind Symphony’s tour to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he had the wonderful opportunity to work closely with composers Viet Cuong, Steve Bryant, and Michael Doughtery. He has operated as a rehearsal pianist for the Valley Opera’s (formerly Chandler Opera) production of Verdi’s La Traviata, as well as their 2026 production of Donizetti’s L'elisir d'amore. Joshua Pielemeier was featured as collaborative pianist with the New Mexico Performing Arts Society, under the baton of renowned conductor Franz Vote, in Spring 2025 performances of J.S. Bach’s Cantata 21, and the world premiere of Aaron Alter’s “Cantata of Praise.” Recent pedagogical experience includes coaching chamber music at the Chaparral Chamber Music Workshop in Prescott, Arizona.

Passionate about chamber and new music, Joshua cofounded the Ocotillo Chamber Series, along with colleague Dr. Julia Lougheed, whose mission is to pair time-honored classical repertoire along with newer works, including by underrepresented composers. Highlights of Ocotillo Chamber’s inaugural season include the commissioning and world premiere of Josh Oxford’s “Clarinet Trio”, and a performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, which received a standing ovation. In 2020, Joshua released A Slow Peace, an EP of instrumental works of an earthy and meditative nature, including original compositions and arrangements for piano and viola. Joshua lives in Chandler, Arizona, with his partner Jessica and their cats Beau and Kira. In his spare time, he is fond of walking, swimming, reading, cooking, visiting breweries and wineries, and other creative endeavors.

Solo Deo gloria.