Born in 1993, Albuquerque native Joshua Rupley has performed in New Mexico, Colorado, New York, Switzerland, Italy, and in much of Germany.

His large and varied repertoire ranges from the Baroque to the 21^st century and includes numerous pieces composed for him or which he premiered. His playing is marked by great vitality and sensitivity: “a heavenly avalanche of notes” and “a fortissimo as mighty as a cathedral organ,” or at times “balsam for the soul and the ears.” In addition to a budding solo career, he is in demand as a German Lied pianist and regularly accompanies Lied singers in many of Germany’s important recital halls.

Joshua began his piano studies with Lisa Francis at the age of 11. Homeschooling allowed him great flexibility in his schedule, so he was able to practice piano as much as he wanted as well as try out his other interests, including composing, creative writing, and theatre. In high school, he took lessons in piano and composition with Michael Mauldin and studied conducting with former AYS Music Director Gabriel Gordon. Starting at age 16, he began to organize his own piano recitals, and a few months later he was invited to join the studio of Falko Steinbach at UNM. After performing at the Klavierfestival Lindlar in Germany in the summer of 2011, he was determined to return someday and study in Germany. The opportunity came in 2013 in the form of a study abroad at the Würzburg University of Music, where he encountered many new and exciting influences, facing greater challenges and higher musical standards than ever before. After a year as an exchange student, Joshua chose to remain in Würzburg and continue studying with Inge Rosar, then with Silke-Thora Matthies. He studies German Lied accompanying with Gerold Huber and chamber music with Denise Benda. He has also received important musical impulses from Markus Bellheim, András Hamary, Markus Schirmer, and Andrej Jasinski.

Joshua Rupley was the Fourth Prize Award-Winner of the 2016 Olga Kern International Piano Competition.