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Three-time national finalist for The American Prize in Conducting, American conductor Joshua Shepherd brings over two decades of experience in both the classical and commercial music industry as violinist, violist, singer, and conductor to his work as Music Director and Conductor of The People's Orchestra of Nashville (formerly the Nashville Reading Orchestra), a dynamic ensemble he founded in 2020 that has quickly established a reputation for artistic excellence, collaboration, and community impact. 

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Guest and Cover Conducting Engagements

Shepherd is increasingly recognized for his leadership on the podium and his ability to step into high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence. In recent seasons, Shepherd served as Guest Conductor for Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra's "Champagne & Shamrocks" Concert, an annual event held to raise scholarship funds for local college students. This FLSO event was accomplished in just one combined rehearsal/concert 'service.' Shepherd also stepped in with just a few hours’ notice to conduct Orchestra Kentucky’s Christmas Spectacular concert due to the ensemble’s music director being ill. Besides the orchestra, the concert featured soloists Steve Amerson and Laurie Gayle Stephenson, as well as an adult choir and children’s choir. In both instances, Joshua’s ability to adapt quickly and to work well under pressure enabled the musicians to have a fantastic performance. 

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In the past few seasons (2022-2025), Shepherd has served as cover conductor for Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, Butler Philharmonic Orchestra, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Signature Symphony. In 2021, Shepherd served as Guest Conductor for Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra's Veterans Concert, the ensemble's first post-COVID lockdown performance.

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A New Beginning with The People's Orchestra of Nashville​

A proactive and passionate builder of musical community, Shepherd founded the Nashville Reading Orchestra in the summer of 2020 to create meaningful opportunities for musicians during the pandemic. The orchestra is comprised of college students, professional musicians, faculty, and community members. The NRO originally began as a 'reading orchestra' to give local musicians the rare chance to collaborate and read through diverse repertoire with others in a fun and safe environment during the pandemic.

 

The ensemble, named a national finalist in 2022, 2023 and 2025 for the The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, has since evolved into a performing orchestra, with the new name of The People's Orchestra of Nashville. The orchestra has presented several public concerts of standard symphonic, operatic, musical theatre, ballet and pops repertoire, including lesser known works, to both in-person and online audiences. As PON Music Director and Conductor, Joshua has collaborated with local instrumentalists and vocalists, featuring them as soloists with the orchestra and has secured local news coverage for the performances. While most ensembles in Middle Tennessee paused activity during the pandemic, PON continued to serve the community by safely presenting live orchestral music—offering connection, continuity, and artistic purpose when it was needed most.

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Academic Work

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Shepherd served as Director of Orchestras and Upper Strings at Emporia State University, where he led both the Emporia Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, and taught applied violin and viola lessons, music theory, and music appreciation. The ESO performed a wide range of repertoire—from orchestral masterworks to underrepresented but equally outstanding works. Season highlights included an October matinee concert for 400 K–5 students featuring educational demonstrations and music from film and classical traditions, as well as a December holiday concert with ESU voice professor Dr. Scott Wichael. In partnership with the local nonprofit SOS, whose mission is to advocate for victims of interpersonal violence, the concert raised over $1,300, fully funding their 24/7 crisis hotline for an entire year. Previous to his work at ESU, Joshua served as adjunct faculty at Union University and Belmont University, where he taught in the areas of applied lessons, music theory and chamber music.

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Performance Career as Violinist/Violist

As violinist and violist, Shepherd has performed with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, and Bernadette Peters, performed in the Broadway pit orchestras for Monty Python's Spamalot and The Phantom of the Opera, and played on recordings for various Playstation soundtracks and CCM artist projects. Joshua has also performed extensively with professional orchestras in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio and California, as well as toured Europe and Asia.

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Conductor Workshops

Shepherd has participated in the International Conductors Guild - Ft Wayne Philharmonic International Conductors Workshop, Conductor's Institute of South Carolina, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and Opera Bootcamp at University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Andrew Constantine, Ennio Nicotra, Dr. Donald Portnoy, Peter Jaffe, Cristian Măcelaru, Octavio Más-Arocas, and Mark Gibson.

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Artistic Interests and Education

Shepherd is a passionate advocate for symphonic repertoire drawn from Broadway, film, television, and video games, and is enthusiastic to share this music with musicians and audiences alike—presenting it with the same artistic integrity he brings to traditional symphonic works. He holds a D.M.A. degree in Viola Performance from University of Miami, and an M.M. degree in Instrumental Conducting and Viola Performance from University of South Florida.