At age three, Joshua Swank was drawn to the piano and would sit and pick out simple melodies, although he didn’t have any formal lessons. He started violin lessons with his brother and sister when he was four. After hearing the cello at a concert, he told his parents that the cello was what he wanted to play.
Joshua started cello lessons with Peggy Swartz at age 7. After Peggy retired from teaching in 2014, Joshua began studying cello with Mary Walters via weekly Skype/Zoom lessons. Mrs. Walters would often travel from Seattle to Fairbanks, AK, to facilitate cello workshops multiple times per year. Joshua participated in the Fairbanks Symphony, Fairbanks Youth Symphony, Alaska Cello Intensive, and the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival while in Alaska. He won the Fairbanks Concerto Competition three times, once on piano and twice on cello, as well as the Brimhall Cello Competition and ASTA Solo Competition. He also participated in a piano quartet with his siblings, a good friend, and a string quintet. Joshua has had masterclasses with Clive Greensmith twice, Zuill Bailey, and John Michel, as well as lessons with Anthony Elliot and Sarah Koo Freeman. Joshua plays a German cello, labeled Neuter, generously provided on loan by the Carlsen Cello Foundation of Seattle, WA.
Joshua is pursuing a Music Performance BM in Cello at Utah State University with Anne Francis Bayless. In addition to music, Joshua enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing, reading, running, chess, and anything that includes spending time with his twin brother, family, and friends.