Joseph Bentley

Joseph Bentley is a musician and educator affiliated with the University of Rhode Island (URI), where he holds the email address joseph_bentley@uri.edu. He lectures at Johnson & Wales University and maintains a private studio at Wheaton College. His roles include directing Chamber Music, Orchestra, and Jazz Band programs at Portsmouth Abbey School, while also serving as a music director and performer with multiple orchestras and bands across southeastern New England.

Education: He holds an M.A. from London's Royal Academy of Music (studying under Duncan McTier, Graham Mitchell, and Rodney Stewart) and a B.M. from Rhode Island College. Earlier, he graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island. His training includes the Creative Education pathway at the Royal Academy of Music.

Performance and Engagement: Bentley performs with groups like the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and nonClassical orchestra. He volunteers with Community MusicWorks’ daily orchestra program and leads church band activities at Sanctuary Church in Providence. His improvisational sessions, often paired with coffee at Seven Stars Bakery, reflect his active community involvement.

Teaching and Mentorship: While no formal grant details are provided, his pedagogical work spans private instruction and institutional program leadership. His research interests intersect practical music performance with innovative educational methodologies.