Justin Petty, Steelband Co-Founder, Musician, Professor, Father

Justin A. Petty, born May 7, 1971 in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, is the middle child of ten children. He grew up in Charlotte Amalie where he began playing music at an early age. In 1984, he joined the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra where he played the guitar pan before switching to the tenor or lead pan one year later. Following graduation from Charlotte Aamlie High School, Justin earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music in 1993 and a Master of Science Degree in Broadcast Administration/Television Management from Boston University.  

In addition to co-founding Pan Loco Steel Band with Bob Lucas, Justin also writes for and directs several larger steel orchestras in New England. These included  Branches Pan Groove Steel Orchestra (under his musical direction Branches won the Panorama competition in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002). In 1999 he helped form the Crystal Panjammers Youth Steel Band on Massachusetts’ North Shore. In 2002 he formed the Celestial Infernos Youth Steel Band of St. Cyprians Episcopal Church in Roxbury, MA.

He has given lectures on the origin and evolution of the steel pan at universities and colleges throughout the Northeast and in the US Virgin Islands. He has had the distinguished opportunity to perform with muscial guru such as Aldwyn "Lord Kitchener" Roberts on several occasions.

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