Joshua Thompson is a pianist, music sociologist, and lecturer recognized nationally for his expertise on classical composers of African descent. A recipient of numerous awards, national fellowships, and grants, Thompson received a Challenge America Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and has completed residencies at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, University of Puget Sound, University of Louisville, Seaside, FL, University of Nebraska Omaha, and currently serves as the Creative Partner in Residence with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. A 2019 TED Talk presenter, Thompson is the creator of the award-winning podcast, Melanated Moments in Classical Music produced by Classical Music Indy which has a global listening audience in over 2,000 cities and is used as curriculum in colleges and universities. Thompson’s production “Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts” was awarded an ARTI award from the Arts Council of Indianapolis for community partnerships. Joshua has worked and performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Anthony Davis, New York Philharmonic clarinetist Anthony McGill, and legendary operatic soprano, Angela Brown.