Joseph Skillen

Joseph Skillen is the Chair and Professor in the Department of Music at UNC Charlotte. Previously, he spent 22 years at Louisiana State University (LSU), serving as the Galante Endowed Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. He holds degrees from Tennessee Technological University, Pennsylvania State University, and Michigan State University.

His research focuses on brass pedagogy, contemplative teaching methods, and curricular design. Notably, he has performed with orchestras in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including as a substitute tubist with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra during his Fulbright tenure in Sweden. Skillen has over 40 scholarly publications, 12 professional recordings, and actively commissions new works for tuba.

• Performance History: Principal tubist in U.S. orchestras, international touring ensembles, and broadcasts on NPR and Sweden’s National Radio.
• Education: Music Education (Tennessee Tech), Music Performance (Penn State), and additional studies at Michigan State.

His contributions extend to arts entrepreneurship and community engagement, blending performance with academic leadership.