Joel Knudsen
Joel teaches piano ensembles as well as chamber music, using strings and piano: duos, trios, quartets, etc. He began teaching at the camp in 1975.Joel has a Bachelor's degree in piano performance from Friends University, and a Master's in piano performance from the University of Lowell in Massachusetts. He has been on the full-time music faculty at Butler Community College since 1998. He teaches music theory, other related lecture courses, and piano. He also accompanies several groups (Chamber Singers and Concert Choir), leads a combo in a show choir group known as The Headliners, and plays in a jazz band. Joel has been the pianist for The Wichita Symphony Orchestra since 1984, and has worked under maestros Palmer, Chen, Sewell, and Decker, in addition to many guest conductors. He also has had a private studio since 1984.
Joel has three boys who are all in their twenties, two step-daughters and two grandchildren. His granddaughter Kyla has attended Camp Allegro for the last three years and really looks forward to her time with him there.
“I teach at Camp Allegro because I love chamber music, teaching, and kids. Chamber music teaches teamwork, problem-solving, sensitivity, when to lead and when to follow, and a host of other skills, like listening, and having fun by making music collectively.”
