Joshua Garver

Joshua Garver is a violinist and music educator who began his violin studies like so many of his students: in the fourth grade in his neighborhood public school system. Joshua found joy in playing his violin in the orchestra with his peers and continued playing in orchestras and chamber groups at both the Eastman Community Music School and the Hochstein School of Music and Dance. 

In 2006, Joshua attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis on strings. There, Joshua was fortunate enough to study with string pedagogues Dr. Brenda Brenner and Mimi Zweig. He began his teaching career in 2008 under Dr. Brenner’s instruction at the Fairview Violin Project, a program with the goal of providing violin instruction to young children without access to such instruction and with the intention of answering some basic research questions concerning the cognitive and social effects of early violin study. In 2011, Joshua graduated and moved to Boston to begin his work as an El Sistema Resident Artist at Conservatory Lab Charter School. During his 8 year tenure at Conservatory Lab, Joshua taught beginning strings to over 1,000 students, working tirelessly to instill a sense of joy, pride, and ownership in his students. He completed his Masters of Music in Music Education at Boston University in 2017. Joshua currently teaches Middle School Strings at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, and teaches privately through Conservatory at Highlands and his own emerging studio, Spy Pond Strings. 

Joshua believes that access to a high-quality music education is a fundamental human right. He believes that every student can be successful in their musical pursuits when a well-structured, student-centered curriculum is implemented and a safe, joyful, and non-judgmental classroom environment is created.