Joe Beribak is a composer, percussionist, and teacher eager to find his place in the musical community of Chicagoland. Joe currently directs the percussion ensembles at Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras, having previously taught at McHenry County College, Hoffman Estates HS, Elgin HS, and South Elgin HS. Joe’s recordings can be heard on every major streaming platform and Youtube.

Joe studied percussion performance at DePaul University - (Chicago, BM 2009) and The Colburn Conservatory - (Los Angeles, Artist’s Diploma 2013). His work in Los Angeles was as a member of Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble. Though the group split apart as its members graduated and moved, their albums can be heard on every major streaming platform. When the Covid-19 pandemic paused live performances, Joe dived deeply into honing his compositional skills. In pursuit of this new musical direction, he completed a Master’s degree in music composition at Northern IL University in May 2025, where he received the 2024 Jan Bach Prize in Music Composition, taught group composition lessons, and tutored undergraduate music theory students as a graduate assistant.

Synthesizing the many lessons learned through his experiences in percussion ensemble, chamber music, orchestra, jazz combo, drum circles, drumline, private teaching, music library work, and even singing Gregorian chant; Joe brings an eclectic blend of experiences into his compositions. From this unique perspective, Joe strives to open new social, spiritual, and somatic pathways within the performers and audience members experiencing his pieces, that they may flourish as individuals within a loving community.