Joseph Darcourt   >   About

  Joseph Darcourt is a distinguished cellist and the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden, the Daily Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush and the President's Education Award from President Donald Trump. His musical journey commenced in 2016 at the age of 10, and within a year, he was admitted into the Juilliard preparatory division, setting the stage for a remarkable music journey.

  Since September 2019, Joseph has thrived as a dedicated student and artist under the guidance of Astrid Schween in Juilliard's Pre-college Division. His exceptional talent has garnered numerous music awards, culminating in his Carnegie Hall debut in 2019 at the age of 12, where he secured first place in both the International American Protégé concerto and Musical Talent competitions.

  In 2023, Joseph received the Gold Medal at the AADGT 'Passion of Music' Festival, followed by a captivating performance in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. Beyond his musical achievements, Joseph is the founder of Olifeclass.org, a not-for-profit organization born out of his commitment to mental health during the challenges of the Covid pandemic.

  During his first year at Juilliard at the age of 11, Joseph started exploring the profound connection between classical music and mental well-being. He created the "M&M/Thank You Breathing Meditation & Classical Music" workshop, a unique initiative blending art and science to foster meaningful connections and inspire social change. Despite the pandemic pause, Joseph's curiosity led him to a summer internship at a Columbia University lab in 2022, where he explored the intersection of classical music and mental health through computational neuroscience.

  His dedication culminated in the acceptance of his research paper, "Music's Manifold Emotions for Mental Well-being: A Topological Approach," by the prestigious Nature Science Journal for review. Joseph's groundbreaking work has garnered invitations from over 80 medical science journals worldwide.

  Besides his passion for music, math, and meditation, Joseph finds joy in connecting with Mother Nature, as he was born on Earth Day. He also indulges in the simple pleasures of life, enjoying good food, sleep and learning different languages.

  Joseph's journey, from finding solace in the echoes of Bach during the pandemic to delving into the intricacies of neuroscience and mathematics, has shaped him into a resilient and endlessly curious individual. The pandemic has fueled his sense of purpose, solidifying his commitment to mental health advocacy through music and meditation. His mission is to normalize the therapeutic potential of classical music and sow the seeds of well-being through the simple yet powerful secret he has discovered.

Joseph Darcourt   >   Performances / Video

1. Joseph Darcourt, age 12, Carnegie Hall Debut
Prelude from Cello Suite #3, J.S. Bach

2. Joseph Darcourt
Méditation de Thaïs, by Jules Massenet

3. Joseph Darcourt
Salut D'Amour, by Edward Elgar

4. Joseph Darcourt
Arietta, by Leroy Anderson

5. Joseph Darcourt: First composition, Debut at Juilliard
"The Night Is Still", by Joseph Darcourt

6. Joseph Darcourt
M&M / Music and Meditation, "Artist As Citizen" Juilliard School Project

  When Joseph was 11, he created: M&M initiative / "Thank you" - Breathing, Meditation and Classical Music.

7. Calhoun High School cellist gives back through the power of music
Long Island Herald, October 29, 2020.

  A Calhoun High School freshman, Joseph Darcourt of Merrick, has used his musical talents to raise money for Long Island Cares and The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

8. VOTE 2020: Read, Think, Vote
Salut D'Amour, by Edward Elgar

9. Joseph Darcourt, Times Square
Amazing Grace

10. Joseph Darcourt, Times Square
Bach Cello Suite No. 2, Sarabande

11. Joseph Darcourt, cello
Bach Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011

12. Joseph Darcourt, cello & Takeshi Nagayasu, piano
Cello Sonata in A Major Op. 69, I-III; Ludwig van Beethoven