Joel Hilbert graduated Magna Cum Laude earning his Bachelors of Music Education degree from West Virginia University and is currently pursuing his MM in Percussion Performance from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Joel has had the privilege of studying with George Willis, Al Wrublesky, Guy Remonko and is currently studying with Kevin Bobo, John Tafoya, and Steve Houghton.

During Joel's DCI career he marched for the Canton Bluecoats in 04, 05, and 06 and finished his career aging out with The Cadets in 2008 where he was honored with the Rookie of the Year award. In addition to DCI work, Joel marched for Rhythm X Indoor Percussion from 2006-09. In 2007 the group took a European tour and were featured as educators and performers. The group won two world championships in 2008 and 2009 at WGI Finals in Dayton, OH. Joel was section leader and center snare of Rhythm X in 2009. During his marching career Joel has been honored to work with great performers and teachers such as Tom Aungst, Colin McNutt, Mike MacIntosh, Brett Kuhn, Tim Fairbanks, Tim Maynard, Tim Jackson, Andrew Markworth, and Eric Ward to name a few.

Joel's teaching experience includes writing and teaching numerous high schools around the West Virginia area. Also he was percussion director and writer for the Pride of West Virginia Mountaineer Marching Band and led the program to a very successful season in 2008.