JOEL VANDERZEE studied engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana before completing a degree in Music Theory and Composition at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Organ Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Karl Schrock at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. While in Michigan, Joel served as Director of Music Ministries at Second Congregational United Church of Christ and as Organ Scholar at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, both in Grand Rapids. In 2008, Joel was awarded the AAGO Prize by the American Guild of Organists for achieving the highest score in the nation on the Guild’s Associateship examination.
In 2008, Joel emigrated to Canada, and began servicing pipe organs with Pole and Kingham of Chatham, Ontario. This quickly led to opportunities to meet other organbuilders and study many instruments, and culminated in the founding of VanderZee Organs in 2010, upon the completion of a 4-stop continuo organ.
Joel remains active as a performer, giving frequent recitals. In addition, he maintains a parallel career as a professional chorister in Ontario and has sung with the Elora Festival Singers, the Choir of St. John the Evangelist in Elora, Arcady, Spiritus Ensemble, The Larkin Singers, and Nota Bene. He is also a composer, with compositions published by GIA and Adoro.