JOE LEFEVRE, TUBA

 

Joe LeFevre began playing the tuba at age 11 when he chose the instrument as a joke because it was bigger than him. As time passed, a great interest grew and music became an important aspect of his life.

 

Joe LeFevre began studying tuba with Mr. Bill Short at West Middle School, and soon after began taking lessons from Dr. Deanna Swoboda, Professor Emeritus at Western Michigan University (current professor at Arizona State University). He has also studied under the current tuba professor at Western Michigan University Jacob Cameron, and with Professor Emeritus of Western Michigan University and Principal Tuba of the Kalamazoo Symphony, Robert Whaley. Joe currently studies under Phil Sinder at Michigan State University.

 

LeFevre debuted as a soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15 and traveled Washington, D.C. to compete as a national finalist for the Colonel George S. Howard United States Air Force Band Concerto Competition. His music has taken him across the Midwest competing as an international semi-finalist for the Leonard Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Competition twice and performing as a national winner for the 25th Yamaha Young Performing Artist series. LeFevre won the Gold Medal in the 2014 International Leonard Falcone Student Tuba Competition  and currently holds an Associate Membership position in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the nation's premiere training orchestra run by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.