About

Joanna Ross Hersey (she/her) is a performing artist and composer with twenty years’ experience as a leader in higher education. An advocate for active duty and military-affiliated students, Dr. Hersey is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, beginning her career as Principal Tubist with the United States Coast Guard Band. Dr. Hersey performed throughout the country as a soloist and clinician after winning the position at the age of nineteen, has performed at numerous state functions for visiting dignitaries and royalty, and has appeared in uniform on The Today Show and Good Morning America.  She has performed for three U.S. Presidents, and participated in events to commemorate the allied efforts of World War II, including special joint performances across southern England with British military musicians.

Devoted to changing gendered perceptions in brass music, Dr. Hersey has released two solo albums, O quam mirabilis, and Zigzags, featuring music by diverse female composers, in combination with her own works, and appears on five brass chamber music albums. In addition to her music degrees, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and has written several book chapters and journal articles in the areas of gender, diversity, and belonging. Her newest composition, Nanon, for euphonium and tuba duo with electronic track, was the winner of the 2023 International Tuba Euphonium Association's Mary Ann Craig Focus on Women Award, established to honor works which center the achievements and creativity of women.

Dr. Hersey serves as Professor of Music and Associate Dean of Student Success and Curriculum for the College of Arts and Sciences. She is Past-President of the International Women’s Brass Conference, serves as Treasurer of the International Tuba Euphonium Association, Secretary of the Historic Brass Society, and as a board member of the International Alliance for Women in Music and the all-female Athena Brass Band, whose mission is to provide opportunities and training for women in the band world.

Visit her website to view brass tutorial videos, discover recordings, compositions and publications, and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

PRAISE FOR JOANNA’S SOLO ALBUM ZIGZAGS...

“It is quite fascinating to hear the swirling textures, tuba riffs and pedal notes, as well as blending of analog and digital sounds... it has something of everything including extreme range, tricky rhythms and intervals, multiphonics, and other extended techniques. The entire album is quite different from what we would call mainstream tuba recordings. The original tuba and electronics work, a major unaccompanied tuba work all juxtaposed with Hildegard von Bingen, herself a musical visionary, sets this recording apart from anything else. Brava!”

Dr. Mark Nelson, International Tuba Euphonium Journal