Joel Schoenhals is establishing himself as one of the leading pianist-teachers of his generation. He is currently Associate Professor of Piano at Eastern Michigan University. Since 1998, he has been a faculty member of the Summer Piano Program at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.

An active performer and recording artist, Schoenhals has received praise for his recordings Bartók’s For Children and Lieder of Schubert Transcribed for Piano by Franz Liszt on Fleur de Son Classics. “Schoenhals embraces the Hungarian idiom completely” (American Record Guide). “It would be difficult to imagine a better rendition of Bartók's For Children. The gaiety, the sadness sometimes feel unutterable. I listened to this album over and over with increasing pleasure” (Memphis Commercial Appeal). “In his recording of twenty Liszt transcriptions of Schubert songs, Schoenhals cultivates a beautiful, well-paced tone that is always easy on the ear. His sense of flow in the interpretation of these pieces enhances the idea of narratives without words that Liszt aimed to achieve” (Classik Reviews). “Seek this one out and find one of the greatest releases of the year (Liszt). Now if someone would only help me to close my jaw, hung open by the second track. Only then can I return to mundane existence” (American Record Guide). “Schoenhals awakens Schubert’s exuberance, lifts it from piercing melancholy to ecstatic flights, and touches the throbbing heart of Liszt’s recreations in a way that persuades us the piano is indeed a viable, if not preeminent, medium for so much vocally conceived music. Schoenhals is passionate . . . impetuous . . . radiant. There’s abundant pleasure to be found here” (Fanfare). In Summer 2006, Fleur de Son Classics released Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Petrouchka for Two Pianos performed with Dr. Michael Boyd, Professor of Piano at the University of Toledo.

A dedicated teacher, Schoenhals is active in local and state chapters of MTNA and was featured as the keynote artist for the Idaho Music Teachers Association state convention. He presented lecture recitals and a master class at the Oregon Music Teachers Association state convention, and presented lecture-recitals at MTNA national conventions in Kansas City and Austin. He was a featured artist, judge, and teacher at the Besparmak International Piano Festival in North Cyprus. In demand as a chamber musician, Schoenhals has recorded a trio cd with Kim Aseltine, clarinet and Eva Stern, viola to be released later in 2007.

Dr. Schoenhals holds a Master of Music, Doctoral of Musical Arts, and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where he was a student and teaching assistant of Rebecca Penneys. He earned his undergraduate degree in piano performance at Vanderbilt University, studying with Craig Nies and Enid Katahn.