Joel R. Knecht has been an instrumental music teacher since 2004, working for Christian Heritage School, Seymour, Naugatuck, Waterbury, and Darien Public Schools. He worked at Elementary, Middle School and High School levels, primarily as a band teacher, but also teaching chorus, music theory, and general music as well. He currently works for Darien Public Schools as the primary Music Explorations teacher at Middlesex Middle School and at Holmes Elementary School where he teaches 4th Grade Band.

In addition to each of his school's ensembles, Joel has served as the conductor for the Naugatuck Community Band and Darien Community Band. He received his Bachelor of Music in Euphonium Performance at Western Connecticut State University, his Masters in Music from Kent State University, and an Advanced Certificate of Educational Leadership from University of Bridgeport. Joel was recognized in Teaching Music Magazine in August 2018 for his work in teaching music composition, and has been a clinician in the field of music composition at the Connecticut Music Educators Association In Service Conference (2012) as well as the NAfME All-Eastern In Service Conference (2013).

Joel's teaching philosophy is that while there are some standard practices that help us improve as a musician, it is our interest and curiosity about music that drives our learning and experience. This means creating personalized musical lessons tailored to each student's goals and desires is the best way to approach private lesson instruction. He teaches brass, woodwinds, piano, music composition and music theory.

Joel continues to play an integral part in music education curriculum development, and has led Professional Development sessions for the Waterbury, Monroe, and Darien Public Schools. He began writing music for Concert and Symphonic Band in 2010, and has composed original songs for beginning bands all the way through to collegiate level ensembles. Joel has had his compositions premiered by John F. Kennedy High School (Waterbury, CT), The Naugatuck Community Band (Naugatuck, CT), Middlesex Middle School (Darien, CT), Brandon Valley Intermediate School 5th Grade Band and Brandon Valley District Wide Band (Brandon, SD), Jockey Hollow Middle School (Monroe, CT), Roger Ludlowe Middle School 6th Grade Band (Fairfield, CT) and the Holmes, Tokeneke, Ox Ridge Royle, and All-Town Elementary Schools (Darien, CT). His original music and teaching resources can be found at www.joelknechtmusic.com. He lives in Monroe, CT with his wife Kimya and four kids, Elijah, Grant, Silas and Lynnea.