Biography

Joseph Thalken is an award-winning composer, conductor, and pianist whose theater and concert works have been performed internationally. He is the composer of the musicals Was, Harold & Maude, Fall of ’94, Borrowed Dust, and Inventions for Piano, and his concert works encompass chamber, choral, orchestral, wind ensemble, and vocal music. His ballet, Chasing Home, was recently recorded by the Dallas Chamber Symphony.

In addition to Patti LuPone, he has served as music director or arranger for Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Renée Fleming, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Liz Callaway, Sierra Boggess, Catherine Malfitano, Elizabeth Futral, Kristin Chenoweth, Sally Wilfert, Polly Bergen, Faith Prince, Hugh Panaro, Michael Crawford, Howard McGillin, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, Rodney Gilfry, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and many more. He has taught music theater composition at Yale University and is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.