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Violinist and conductor Joseph Kneer holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, a Masters of Music in Violin and Theory Pedagogy from the Peabody Institute, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance, also from Peabody.  In 2016, Kneer was appointed Assistant Professor of Music at ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ. Previous teaching engagements include Mercyhurst University, and the Peabody Preparatory.

Kneer is an active recitalist and orchestral musician, and has performed on numerous concert series across the country. In 2015, he completed a regional concert tour of the Brahms violin sonatas with pianist Shirley Yoo.  Kneer founded the Aurora Piano Trio in 2008 with cellist Hannah Pressley and pianist Linda Angkasa, and was awarded the Peabody Chamber Music Prize in 2009. Joe has also performed the works of several living composers, including Roger Zare’s violin sonata ("Beautiful Savior"), a piece commissioned by and written for him. Kneer has studied with Mary West, Milan Vitek, Herbert Greenberg, and Violaine Melançon. His students have won notable local and regional recognition, including solo debuts with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and participation in all levels of All-State Orchestra in the Mid-Atlantic region.

As a conductor, Kneer has founded and directed several ensembles, including the Oberlin Chamber Players, the Mercyhurst String Ensemble and community string chamber music program, and the Mercyhurst Chamber Orchestra. He also served as interim music director of the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Chancel Choir in Baltimore in 2012.