Ashleigh Gordon

Joi Harper is a composer and performer from Portsmouth, VA. Inspired by her own eclectic taste, Joi focuses on her favorite aspects of every musical style in her writing - groove, harmony, and drama. 

Joi began her musical journey at a young age, learning various instruments until settling on the voice. She always had an ear for song and began songwriting for her family at 8 years old. Later on this songwriting and her love of music created a new interest for her - composition. Joi's music explores the rhythm of everyday life and the beauty of harmony. Writing for both the concert setting and the recording studio, Joi focuses on the listener's experience as an aspect of her music. 

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Joi's works consist of choral music, chamber works, and song. Recently her music has been heard nationally at the ACDA National Conference in 2019 and debuted internationally in Nairobi, Kenya. Joi has composed and arranged for the Nairobi Chamber Chorus, George Mason University Chorale, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Green Machine, and Mason New Sound Collective, as well as for her own personal projects. Joi obtained a degree from George Mason University (B.M in Music Composition with a Minor in Music Technology) and is pursuing a degree at Longy School of Music of Bard College (M.M. in Music Composition; Nadia and Lili Boulanger Scholar).

Joi works for the inclusion of minority and female composers in the 21st century. She hopes that her work will inspire a new generation of underrepresented composers to feel confidence in their own voices. She continues to find new ways to incorporate social justice into her work and life. Joi looks forward to finding new ways to accomplish this goal and awaits what lies ahead. 

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