Ryan Joseph
Assistant Professor of Music and String Area Coordinator
College of Music & Performing Arts
Biography
Dr. Ryan Joseph serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Strings at the Belmont University School of Music, where he teaches commercial and classical violin, viola, and mandolin, and directs the Bluegrass and World Fiddle Ensembles. A native of western Pennsylvania, he began playing violin at the age of two alongside his grandfather, a fiddler, performing in his family’s band. He was featured with the group and participated in a Grammy-nominated project in 2004. At age eleven, he appeared on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, showcasing his multi-instrumental and vocal abilities to a national audience.
After the unexpected loss of his father in 2006, Dr. Joseph committed fully to a life in music and moved to Nashville in 2007. He is now in his fourteenth year touring with country music legend Alan Jackson, performing on fiddle and mandolin and singing harmony vocals. His additional performance and recording credits include Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Buffett, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, Martina McBride, Zac Brown, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood, and many others.
Dr. Joseph has performed throughout the United States and internationally across Europe, Australia, South America, Alaska, and the Caribbean. His television and major stage appearances include the CMA Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The View, Fox & Friends, ABC’s Nashville, and the Grand Ole Opry.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Duquesne University, a Master of Music in Instrumental Pedagogy from Belmont University, and a Doctor of Music Education degree from Liberty University. In addition to his work at Belmont, Dr. Joseph is a national clinician for Eastman Music Company and a frequent guest clinician at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and with the Nashville Symphony.
A passionate advocate for stylistic versatility and authentic musical expression, Dr. Joseph is dedicated to helping students build meaningful, sustainable careers in today’s diverse music landscape. Grounded in his Christian faith and the values instilled by his family, he strives to lead with integrity, encourage others through music, and use his work to make a positive difference in the lives of his students and audiences.