Janet Joichi brings a diverse background in piano performance, music theory and cognition, and psychology into her teaching. She holds a Ph.D. in music from Northwestern University with a specialization in music theory and cognition, a Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Northwestern University where she received the piano program honor award.

As a pianist, she first started performing at the age of seven in the Cantigny concert series (Illinois) and made her first concerto appearance with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra at age 11. Active as a young performer, she performed in concert venues throughout the Chicago area, studied in Europe and Japan, and later gave guest solo recitals on college campuses in the U.S. She studied with Donald Isaak at Northwestern University for 12 years starting at age 10. At the University of Southern California, she studied with Stewart Gordon, and other mentors include Malcolm Hamilton, Paul Posnak, Samuel Sanders, and William Phemister.

Formerly on the adjunct faculty at Elmhurst College, Joichi also held a piano studio for many years and started teaching in 1986. As a collaborative pianist, she served as staff accompanist for opera and choral groups at the university level and accompanied instrumentalists and vocalists. In the classroom, she has taught music theory, music cognition, piano skills, music psychology and accompanying. She has given conference presentations on music cognition, music theory and music therapy, and her areas of past academic research include music analysis and performance, perception of hierarchical musical grouping and gait rehabilitation.

She is also a registered music therapist, having earned a second master’s degree in music therapy, and briefly worked in neurorehabilitation and psychiatry.