Joseph Simmons

Joe Simmons is a cantor, clinician, and recording and concert artist based in New York City.

He serves as a bilingual (English/Spanish) faculty team leader for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ Cantor Institute and has chaired the organization’s Standing Committee for Cantors since 2000. As an independent consultant, he leads numerous cantor and lector formation clinics for parishes and dioceses throughout the United States.

A former vocal interpretation faculty member at New York University, Joe is co-author of Cantor Basics, 2nd Edition (OCP) and a contributor to Psalmist and Cantor: A Pastoral Music Resource (NPM Publications). He has also published articles in Pastoral Music, AIM, and The Liturgical Singer.

As a producer and vocal artist on World Library Publications’ eight-CD collection, Psalms and Ritual Music, Recorded Edition, Joe directed a team of nine cantors on their interpretations of almost 200 psalm settings for Sundays and Solemnities. His two solo albums, Sudden Waves and Singing Out, on the Oculus Music label, are widely used in healing ministries. His bilingual music videos have been broadcast nationally on the Odyssey Network and Univisión.

Joe earned a master’s degree in music performance from New York University. He serves as principal cantor at the Church of St. John the Baptist in New York City.