Biography
Joe Scheller currently works as a saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator in and around the greater Pittsburgh area. He is an alumnus of both the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University (BS in Music Education, 2011) and Carnegie Mellon University (MM in Saxophone, 2017). While in school, Joe performed alongside artists such as Slide Hampton, Rufus Reid, Ralph Lalama, Allen Vizzutti, Sean Jones, and Carter Pann. Joe has studied saxophone with Dr. James Umble, Alex Costanza, Eric Defade, Jason May, and Greg Lutz.
Professional experiences include performances with The National Tour of Disney’s Aladdin, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, The Temptations, Maceo Parker, Sal Valentinetti, Lou Christie, Monica Mancini, Anne Runolfsson, The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, The Lettermen, and Azúcar. In the past, a passion for educating young musicians has led him to previous faculty positions with South Side Area High School, Elizabeth Forward High School, and the Carnegie Mellon University Music Extensions program.
Joe currently serves on the faculty at Kiski Area School District, while also maintaining a large private studio of woodwind students. He can be heard performing regularly with No Bad Juju, the Bridges Saxophone Quartet and the Balcony Big Band.
Testimonials
As a teacher...
"Joe’s instruction gave me the skills and confidence needed to excel as a young musician. His knowledge is broad and his enthusiasm is infectious - it wasn’t until I had Joe as a teacher that I was excited to go home and practice so that I could come in the next week better than I was before. He helped me reach my goals as a musician, and then continued to set the bar higher. The self-discipline and work ethic I established with Joe are skills that have stayed with me in my academic and professional life outside of music."
— M. Stiger, Former Student
As an arranger...
"Joe Scheller’s arrangements are well-thought-out and have a perfect balance of creativity and structure. This is my second year using Joe as the arranger for my ensemble and I am very pleased with the results. Mr. Scheller’s arrangements have been a driving force behind the success of the our program … and I would recommend Joe without reservation to any group that is looking for a great product."
—Bob Lane,
Director, WIndber Area High School
As a soloist...
“This piece was my personal favorite of the night because of an amazing saxophone solo performed by … Joseph Scheller.”
— The Tartan, 2016