Cited by the New York Times as “finely polished,” and by Voice of America for his “expertly played performances,” Joe Bergen is an in-demand percussionist and educator in the New York metro area. Joe has toured internationally with his critically acclaimed groups, Mantra Percussion (“Superhuman performance” Time Out NY) and Transit (“eminently skillful” New York Times), and has been a featured performer at prestigious events including the San Fransisco Symphonies American Mavericks Concert at Carnegie Hall, Yale in New York at LPR, and the Percussive Arts Society 50th Anniversary Concert in Indianapolis.
Joe has recorded extensively for TV, radio, film, and video game soundtracks, most notably 2010 game of the year “Red Dead Redemption.” He has recorded for New Amsterdam Records, Naxos, Shsk’h, Innova, Peacock, Atma Classique, and New World Records.
A native of Ramsey NJ, Joe graduated from William Paterson University earning a BM in music performance studying with percussion virtuosos Tom Kolor and John Ferrari with additional private studies from Juilliard faculty/ NY Philharmonic percussionist Gordon Gottlieb, and Boston Conservatory faculty/marimba virtuoso Nancy Zeltsman. As an educator, Joe is the education director of Mantra Percussion’s “Young Creators Program,” as well the percussion director for Montville High School, and teaching artist for NJPAC. He has previously taught the Reading Buccaneers (2006-2007), Cadets2 (2012), and marched with the Crossmen.