Joey Arcuri, M.S. in Music Education, Bassist, Strings Teacher
Education & Training
Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY (2021- 2023)
Master of Science in Music Education
Ithaca College School of Music in Ithaca, NY (Awarded 2009)
Bachelor of Music, Double Bass Performance
Studied with Dr. Nicholas Walker, Professor of Music
Purchase College Conservatory of Music in Purchase, NY (Attended 2005-2007)
Classical Bass Performance
Studied with Tim Cobb, principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic
Influential Teachers
Nicholas Walker
Tim Cobb
Darryl Pugh
Steve Brown
Rick Montalbano
Kevin Giordano
Muriel Bodley
Teaching Experience
Ithaca College’s Summer Music Academy in Ithaca, NY (2021-Present)
Faculty
Teacher in both classical and jazz division
Coach a chamber group, jazz combo, repertoire class, and teach private lessons
Mentor and nurture the musical growth and development of young learners
Community School of Music and Arts in Ithaca, NY (2019-Present)
Faculty Teacher
Private instructor in double bass, electric bass, cello, guitar, and beginning piano
Teach to the intentions/needs of each student
Expose students to culturally diverse music
Encourage students to make music with others and establish their own musical connections within their communities
Private Lesson Studio in Ithaca, NY (2009-Present)
Private Music Instructor
Double Bass primary
Private instruction offered in string family instruments, electric bass, guitar, and beginning piano
Ear training, rhythm, harmony, improvisation, reading chord symbols/notation
Provide students with the motivation to become lifelong learners
Performance Experience
Driftwood, a folk-rock band from Binghamton, NY (2011-Present)
Managing Member and Bassist
Twelve years of national touring experience.
Performing, writing, arranging, recording, content creation, social collaboration
Drawing on many skills beyond the proficiency of musical instruments: promotion, marketing, video and photo curation, fan base engagement
Salt City Jazz Collective, 16 Piece Big Band in Syracuse, NY (2011-2019)
Double Bassist
Monthly big band residency in Syracuse, NY
A network of public school teachers, professors, and performers, sharing arrangements and original compositions
Building a community around the preservation of an American art form
Providing a space for young musicians to sit-in and find mentorship
Freelance Musician 2008-Present
20 year’s freelance experience
Proficient in classical, jazz, musical theater, singer-songwriter genres, and pop music
Excellence in working with people
Understanding how to bring out the best in people and their music
Clinics & Workshops
Guest Clinician & Consultant 2013-2015
DeWitt Middle School, Ithaca, NY
Perform with a quartet, presenting and educating students on popular music of the Harlem Renaissance
Inspiring young learners while building community
Clinician with Roots in the Schools 2013-2017
Nonprofit Outreach Program through Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance
Present and perform for K-12 students
Talk to students about the music business and what it’s like to be a touring musician
Emphasizing the importance of relationship building and community engagement.
Clinician at Culture Camp 2016-Present
Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance - Trumansburg, NY
Double Bass workshop instructor
Teaching the group while catering to the needs of each student
Community Engagement
Jazz Jams (2013-Present)
Participate in weekly jam sessions for the community
Build relationships between professional musicians, hobbyists, students, public school teachers, professors, and community members.
Develop and share repertoire
Working with and supporting local establishments
Performances
Performed With
Melinda Doolittle
Clay Aiken
Jane Monheit
Cheryl Bentyne
Nancy Kelly
Ronnie Leigh
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Sharon Sweet
William Preucil
Mark Winkler
Richie Stearns
Tara Nevins
Jeb Puryear
Hank Roberts
Tali Roth
Lolivone de la Rosa
Julia Ebner
Shared Stages with
The Del McCoury Band
Old Crow Medicine Show
Donna The Buffalo
Rusted Root
Emmylou Harris
Leon Russel
Brandi Carlile
Noteworthy Performances
Verdi’s “Requiem” • soprano Sharon Sweet with the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra • Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center • New York, NY 2009
Melinda Doolittle • Rochester, NY 2011
Clay Aiken • The Turningstone Casino • Verona, NY 2012
Jane Monheit Quartet • The Arts Center • Old Forge, NY 2012
Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler • The Syracuse Jazz Fest • Syracuse, NY 2013
Johnny Carlo with the Salt City Jazz Collective • Canastota, NY 2015
Dvorjak Bass Quintet Performance • Dvorjak American Composer’s Association at Bohemian National Hall • New York, NY 2018 (also performed with Tali Roth)
Doc Woods with The Salt City Jazz Collective • Hamilton College • Clinton, NY 2018
Jane Monheit with the Central New York Jazz Orchestra • Oneida, NY 2018
Glenn Cashman’s Big Band East • Colgate University • Hamilton, NY 2018
Souvenir de Florence w/ William Preucil, concertmaster of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra 1997-2019 • Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY 2018
Nancy Kelly & Ronnie Leigh with the SCJO • Fayetteville Jazz in the Park • Fayetteville, NY 2019
Lolivone de la Rosa’s guest artist performance • Binghamton University • Binghamton, NY 2023
Puccini’s Suor Angelica, starring Julia Ebner • Chelsea Opera • Syracuse, NY 2023
Musical Theater
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” Pleasantville High School 2007
“RENT” on Syracuse Stage: Syracuse, NY in 2010
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Hangar Theater: Ithaca, NY 2011
“Chicago” at the Catherine Cummings Theatre: Cazenovia, NY 2014
“Crazy For You” Cortland State 2017
“A Syracuse Christmas Carol” at the Redhouse Arts Center: Syracuse, NY 2019
Discography
Amanda Seewald Maracas las Cuatro Estaciones 2011
Joshua Hatcher Neuroses 2011
Answer The Muse One 2012
Driftwood Driftwood 2013
James Olin Oden The Craic Is Free 2013
Joshua Hatcher Another Thing 2014
Band of Lovers The Coast 2015
Binghamton Music Volume One 2015
Caleb Whipp Craig A Far Cry From Handsome 2015
Driftwood Live at Grassroots 2015
Early Bird Trio Sea of Gold 2015
Melody Rose Melody Rose 2015
Driftwood City Lights 2016
*SAMMY Music Award for Best Americana Album 2016
Pete Ruttle The Great Divide 2016
Sheralyn Jeanne Anchor EP 2016
Alyssa Rose Tumbleweed 2017
Band of Lovers American Tour 2017
Jane Zell and the Zelltones Almost Real 2017
Mark Wahl Circadia 2017
Ruddy Well Band Common Ground: Songs by the Ruddy Well Band performed by various Syracuse musicians 2017
The Jess Novak Band Fireworks and Fairytales 2017
Alice Angel & Lauren Synger Lonely Angel / I’ll Be Your Angel (From “Bendy and the Ink Machine) 2018
Driftwood Live at the Purple Fiddle 2018
Jess Novak Fear is the Cage. Love is the Key. 2018
Kevin Michael Giordano Markevin 2018
Cam Caruso Up Above & Down Below 2019
*SAMMY Music Award for Best Singer/Songwriter Recording 2019
Dirty Mae Holy Mama 2019
Driftwood Tree of Shade 2019
Rob Compa Same Damn Thing 2019
Scott Johnston and Tim Herron Strum Out Cancer 2019
Nate Marshall and The Family Band Love & Money 2020
Louiston Civilian (“Classics” and “Alt + Ctrl + Del”) 2021