Joseph Gotoff

Joseph Gotoff serves as Assistant Professor of Strings at Towson University's College of Fine Arts and Communication, Department of Music since 2021, and concurrently teaches at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. An acclaimed cellist, he performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician while holding principal positions with the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra and various ensembles across the Washington-Baltimore corridor.

His educational foundation includes:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from New England Conservatory of Music
• Master of Music (MM) from Mannes College the New School for Music
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University

Dr. Gotoff specializes in performance spanning Baroque to contemporary eras with particular emphasis on chamber music interpretation and premiering works by living composers. His artistic approach integrates scholarly research with practical performance, evidenced by his NEC-funded study of Beethoven manuscripts and collaborations with composers like Lowell Liebermann and Binna Kim. The founding cellist of the award-winning Petrucci String Quartet, he has undertaken extensive international tours including a 19-city concert series across China.

His notable honors include:

• NEC Grant for Beethoven manuscript research
• NEC Guest Artist Award enabling collaboration with Borromeo String Quartet

As an educator, Dr. Gotoff mentors students at Towson University and Levine School of Music while maintaining an active performance schedule with the Washington Arts Ensemble, New Orchestra of Washington, and Pan American Symphony Orchestra. His scholarly-practical approach bridges historical research with contemporary performance practice.

Dr. Gotoff maintains significant artistic affiliations including his founding role in the Petrucci String Quartet, assistant principal cellist position with Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, and regular performances with regional orchestras throughout the Mid-Atlantic music scene.