About Joseph Spence

Saxophonist, composer, educator, Joseph David Spence has made a name as an advocate for the saxophone in the concert hall and in his own compositions. A native of Southern California, Spence has performed throughout the United States and internationally in such prestigious concert venues as Meng Concert Hall (Cal State Fullerton), Hatch Recital Hall (Eastman School of Music), He Lu Ting Concert Hall (Shanghai), and Beijing Concert Hall. His teachers include some of the most respected saxophonists in America: Carrie Koffman, Christopher Bartz, and John Hallberg. He has also participated in several national saxophone conferences working closely with highly esteemed saxophonists: Timothy McAllister, James Umble, and Marco Albonetti. Spence’s musicianship has also earned him esteem in competitions having won first place in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition for the states of California and Connecticut, the MTNA Young Artist Competition for the state of Connecticut, and second place for the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra’s Instrumental Competition.

As the son of a film composer, Joseph David Spence’s compositional voice is rooted in musical storytelling told through a contemporary harmonic and aesthetic lens and is influenced by the great film and concert music composers of our time. Spence’s music has been performed throughout the United States by such ensembles as the Donald Sinta Quartet and KC VITAs. His main teachers include Gilda Lyons, Robert Carl, Larry Alan Smith, David Macbride, and Mark Edward Lewis. 

Spence is pursuing his Dual Master's Degree in Saxophone Performance and Composition at The Hartt School, and currently holds a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Fullerton.