Josh Binkhorst, pianist and educator, brings his unique background, personality, and cross-disciplinary curiosity to his art. With parallel interests in piano and political science, Josh yearns to explore ways that classical music can be relatable and accessible in today’s world, while broadening and diversifying the art form itself.

Josh has been fortunate to perform as a soloist and a collaborator, as well as in masterclasses and interdisciplinary performances in the United States and Argentina. He was the 2020 winner of the Skidmore College Concerto Competition, and was awarded the Louis Edgar Johns Award, the highest award given to a piano major, in both his Junior and Senior years. In 2023, Josh received the Josef Fidelman Memorial Prize, for his dedication to performing and collaborating with contemporary composers. Most recently, Josh held a residency with the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composer Program, and is a Teaching Fellow at the Mannes School of Music. He also composed and performed original music for “In Search of Home,” a short documentary about homelessness in New York City (Clara-Sophia Daly, Bahar Ostadan). 

Josh received his Master of Music in Piano from the Mannes School of Music, where he studied with professor J.Y. Song, and received a graduate minor in Creative Community Development. He is also a recent graduate of Skidmore College, where he received a B.A in Piano and Political Science, and studied piano with distinguished artist in residence Pola Baytelman. Josh has also studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Diego Prigolinni, Professor of Piano at the Astor Piazzolla Conservatory of Music.

Josh aspires to share his love of music and the piano with all of his students. He yearns to challenge and engage students in a safe, supportive, and caring learning environment. With his patient and friendly demeanor, he wants to ensure students look forward to lessons, and develop a love for all music. 

Josh has been fortunate to teach privately, as well as with nonprofits and private studios for over 10 years. He has also created and facilitated programming and educational visits with local schools. A previous resident with the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program, Josh introduced young composers to the piano, while workshopping and performing their compositions. In his University course work, Josh has worked to create interactive classical music lessons that engage students in classical music, both by creating collaborative performances and broadening the definition of “classical” music. The program was first presented at PS8, The Emily Warren Roebling School, in Brooklyn, NY. 

Currently, Josh is a Teaching Fellow at the Mannes School of Music, where he teaches piano to undergraduate music majors.

 

For inquiries, please contact josh@anselmoacademy.org