Joshua MacKeen

My name is Joshua MacKeen, and I just LOVE composing and playing music. I also love writing stories and books. My other hobbies include traveling (my Dad was military, so we went all over the world), cycling, and designing vehicles. Just check out my music. And buy some! Because that means I get money! I like arranging music for string ensembles, since I have my own (Quintessence), and piano, since I also play that instrument. I guess my influences would be Mannheim Steamroller (layering of musical parts) and Bond (upbeat, modern string music). My favorite composers are Chopin, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, and Whalen. I appreciate your support of the arts!

And here is my professional-sounding third person bio:

Joshua Paul MacKeen was born in Yomitan, Okinawa in 1992, the oldest of six homeschooled children.

Joshua has taken piano from 2002 to the present, and currently studies under Pamela Masching. He has taken violin from 1998 to the present and viola since 2009, and currently studies both under Philip Allen Tinge. He is also teaching himself the bagpipes.

He is a member of the following ensembles:

the family band Steadfast, began in 2009, which he also arranges music for

the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO), with which he has played first violin and viola for three years

the Virtuosi advanced chamber group, a part of the BPYO

the advanced string ensemble Fiddlestix

the string group Phil’zharmoniks, with which he played from 1999-2002 and from 2006-present day

His accomplishments include:

Performing with Phil’zharmoniks in Tomorrowland at Disney World in 2007.

Starting the string ensemble Quintessence in 2008 and currently arranging music for them.

Receiving an honorable mention in the 9th Annual Teurck Competition for strings in 2008.

Winning 2nd place in the 10th Annual Teurck Competition for strings in 2009 and performed at the concert that November.

Competing in the 2009 Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra competition for non-strings, playing the piano.

Competing in Guild on the piano.

Superiors in piano solo and original composition at M.A.M.A. in 2010.

Currently he is attending a community college, with the goal of being accepted to the Air Force Academy in 2012.