Praised for his “clarity and an approachable sensitivity” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer), cellist Joseph Gotoff is recognized as a thoughtful and emotive performer, scholar, and teacher. With a repertoire spanning the Baroque to the modern era, Joseph is a champion of living composers, and has premiered works by Lowell Liebermann, Cody Forrest and Binna Kim among others. In 2020, his debut album “The Voice of the Cello” was released to critical acclaim on the Spice Classics label.
Joseph is most passionate about chamber music, and has appeared as a recitalist and chamber musician in concert halls across Europe, Asia and the Americas. In the United States, he can often be seen performing with such diverse ensembles as Counterpoint Concerts, Washington Classical Arts, the New Orchestra of Washington, and the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra. His recital programming, with duo partner and pianist Dr. Wan-chi Su, focuses largely on works by female composers of the 20th and 21st century. This season, Joseph will premiere a cello concerto by composer Cody Forrest with the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, in addition to performing the iconic Schumann Cello Concerto at the National Music Festival in June 2026.
Joseph joined the faculty of Italy's Orfeo International Music Festival in Vipiteno in 2025, where he performed as a member of the Chestertown Piano Quartet. His Italian connections run deep through his ongoing association with Summer Music in Tuscany in Sarteano, where since 2022 he has captivated audiences as both soloist and chamber musician on faculty recitals. He has been a faculty mentor at the National Music Festival since 2023.
A dedicated teacher and mentor, Joseph was appointed to the faculty of Towson University as Assistant Professor of Cello in 2021, where he also serves as conductor of the Towson University Symphony Orchestra. As a conductor, Joseph is passionate about bringing to life both classic works and lesser-known gems. Joseph also teaches at Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., where he instructs adult cello ensembles as well as conducting the Levine Philharmonic.
Joseph Gotoff plays on a Frank Ravatin cello made in 1995. His mentors include Orlando Cole, Barbara Stein-Mallow, and Yeesun Kim, with additional chamber music studies from the Brentano and Borromeo String Quartets.
