Dr. Joseph Spearman is a percussionist and music educator based out of Carrboro, North Carolina. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Music at Fayetteville State University, where he teaches percussion and music theory courses. He previously served as Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, and as the Marching Percussion Instructor and Arranger for the Elon University Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band. Joseph is a member of the Jazz Education Network and Percussive Arts Society, serving on the Percussion Ensemble Committee. He is an artist endorser for Grover Pro Percussion Instruments, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and Zildjian Cymbals. His music is published through Wildlight Publications. 

He is versed in multiple percussion disciplines, including classical and commercial styles, steel pan, and hand drums from various folkloric musics. He has performed in the percussion sections of the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Fayetteville Symphony, Durham Symphony, Worthington Chamber Orchestra, Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, and with the Carolina Ballet and North Carolina Opera.

His research interests include percussion pedagogy and percussion ensemble music. His DMA document is entitled The  Published Chamber Percussion Ensemble Music of Christopher Deane: A Theoretical, Performance, and Pedagogical Guide. His interested in Deane’s percussion music has extended to his solo music, focusing on the late composers lesser known works. Joseph also researches accessibility in percussion ensemble music, having presented a session on the topic at the North Carolina Music Education Association Convention in 2024. 

Joseph frequently collaborates, writes, and performs music with fellow percussionist Kramer Sell as one half of JS…KS Percussion Duo. Their repertoire draws from a multitude of styles of music and features original works composed by the duo. JS…KS has presented recitals and clinics at various North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee schools. 

In 2024, Joseph cofounded the Buzzroll Duo alongside Alexander Sanso. The two perform, compose, and commission original repertoire for trumpet and percussion. Recent highlights include a 2025 tour of North Carolina, and performances at the 2026 College Music Society Great Lakes Chapter Conference.

In 2022, Joseph graduated with his DMA from The Ohio State University where he studied percussion performance with Dr. Susan Powell. He earned his master’s degree in music performance from Belmont University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of South Carolina. Joseph’s teachers include Susan Powell, Christopher Norton, Scott Herring, Gordon Hicken, Todd Kemp, Jeff Handel, and Sean McGrew. He has also studied drum set with Jim Rupp, Todd London, and Jay Ware.