American violinist Joshua Bell was born in Bloomington, Indiana, and began playing the violin at age four. beginning studies with his mentor Josef Gingold at twelve years of age. He debuted at 14 with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 17 with the St. Louis Symphony. By 18, Joshua had signed with his first record label, Decca.

The violinist has collaborated with a range of musicians including Renée Fleming, Chick Corea, Regina Spektor, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Anoushka Shankar, Frankie Moreno, Josh Groban, and Sting.

Joshua Bell’s history with London orchestra Academy of St Martin in the Fields dates back to 1986 when he first recorded the Bruch and Mendelssohn concertos with Sir Neville Marriner. In 2011, Joshua was named Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, succeeding Sir Neville Marriner, who formed the orchestra in 1959.