Joel Becktell has performed, taught, and lectured throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees with honors and received the Rubenstein prize for cello performance. Joel has been a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nichols Quartet, the Harrington String Quartet, and the Moveable Feast chamber ensemble. From 1995–2002 he served as Principal Cellist of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and has also been Principal Cellist with the Santa Fe Pro Musica. In addition to the Santa Fe Symphony, he is a member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus.

Joel has appeared world-wide on Baroque and modern cello and violoncello piccolo as soloist and with ensembles, and has been heard as a soloist with orchestras including the Austin Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra. He is a co-founder, with Amy Greer, of the house concert series Movable Sol, and BWV, a period instrument concert series. He enjoys being the private teacher of several fine young cellists.