Joseph Irrera is laureate of many national and international piano competitions including the Guthman International Piano Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, the Young Artists International Piano Competition in Washington, D.C., The Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition, and the American Protégé International Piano Competition in New York City where he was awarded first Prize.

Among his principal teachers are Alla Kuznetsov, Douglas Humpherys, and Alexander Shtarkman. Mr. Irrera has also received additional training from renowned pedagogues Martin Canin, Philip Kawin, Lev Natochenny, Irina Edelstein, Victor Rosenbaum, and concert pianist Jon Nakamatsu.

 Joseph Irrera received his undergraduate degree with Distinction from the Eastman School of Music in 2005 where he also studied in the pre-college division earning the Eastman Preparatory Diploma in Piano with honors in 2000. Upon completing his degrees at Eastman, Mr. Irrera continued his studies at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University earning a Masters Degree in Piano Performance in 2007. Currently Mr. Irrera is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the Eastman School of Music in Piano Performance and Literature with a minor in Pedagogy. 

 Mr. Irrera resides in Rochester, NY where in addition to his studies, he also teaches at the Eastman School of Music in both the Collegiate and Community Education divisions.