Joel Spears

Joel Spears is a self- taught string player. Inspired by the sound and the vast repertoire of the lute, he began studying the instrument in all its various forms.

Joel is much sought after as a soloist, continuo player, lecturer and teacher. He is a founding member of the ensemble Black Tulip, and has performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago (including on-stage appearances), Chicago Opera Theater, the Chicago Bach Project, and many more.

As a lecturer and performer, he has appeared at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Madison Early Music Festival, and as Guest Artist and Lecturer at Grand Valley State University. Joel has been the Lute Instructor at the Music Institute of Chicago, and founded The Early Music Series at the Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, Illinois. He is also the first theorbo and baroque guitar teacher in the nation at the high school level, teaching at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL. Joel currently lives in Portsmouth, NH.