To quickly introduce myself, my name is William (Joe) Thornton. I was born, raised, and educated in Ellensburg. In 2005, after 7 years of Undergraduate study, I graduated from Central Washington University with a B.M. (Batchelor's of Music) in Vocal Performance Pedagogy summa cum laude ("with highest honors"). The following year, after some eye-opening attempts applying to prominent graduate programs, I returned to CWU to give Teacher Certification a shot. After 4 academically successful quarters, I became frustrated, applied to Grad School again, and my 2007-2008 school year was spent in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan at Central Michigan University pursuing a Master's in Music Degree. Homesickness soon set in while I was in Michigan (I missed mountains, as well as a functioning economy), and moved back to the great Northwest, returning to the Education Sequence, a year short of the M.M. completion.

I'm happily married, happy to be back in Washington State, and my life is run by a pair of unruly dogs named Daisy (a three legged pitbull), and Violet (a hyperactive mutt). I also have a cat named Leo at home that enjoys tearing up my furiture. I'm a huge fan of Johann Sebastian Bach (Baroque Bach, not 1980's Hair Metal Bach), Tom Waits, The Clash, The Ramones, Charles Ives, and Brahms.

Oh, and if you're interested in making me move off topic quickly, ask me about popular culture; especially movies and pop music movements.