Joel Schaefer began his cello studies in the Santa Cruz city schools. He continued at UC Santa Cruz, where he started to perform on baroque cello and viola da gamba. He studied with Elisabeth Le Guin, Carolyn McIntosh and Irene Sharp, and performed in master classes for János Starker and Wieland Kuijken.
A member of the Santa Cruz County Symphony since 1980, Joel has also appeared with the Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra, Albany Consort, Bay Shore Lyric Opera, Monterey Symphony, Santa Cruz Baroque Festival and Chanticleer, and on a concert tour of Italy and Croatia with the Santa Cruz Chorale. Joel's other interests include wine, languages and Argentine tango. He lives in Capitola and writes at elquetoca.blogspot.com.