Joe Kirtley received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University and a Master's Degree in Performance from the University of Washington where he studied with Christopher Leuba, former Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony. Since 1975 he has performed many times with the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera and the Seattle Ballet. He became a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic in 1979 and was the orchestra's Associate Principal Horn until 1996. He has also performed in many chamber music concerts with the Philharmonic's Woodwind and Brass Quintets. In his current position as Lecturer (Brass) at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, his responsibilities include teaching the horn, coaching chamber music, conducting the Academy Brass Ensemble and the Academy Concert Band.