Joshua Malavé (b. 1991) is a composer who specializes in staged musical drama and music that preserves a variety of existing western musical practices while drawing many influences from his numerous collaborations in the worlds of, free improvisation, electronic music, traditional arabic music, ballet and songwriting.
His most recent compositions include a short ballet scene for a modified pierrot ensemble called Animating the Flowers(2026) composed for the event La Fleur at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the short ballet Nut Devours the Sun(2026) for pierrot ensemble, a Piano Concerto(2026) for pianist Amaury Morales, and the full length ballet “The Onion” based on a parable from Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov which premiered to sold out audiences with Confluence Ballet Company in May 2025 at Attack Theatre in Pittsburgh PA.
Josh’s compositions have been heard across the United States including at UC Berkeley, Northern Illinois University, Aurora University, St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, Fifteen Minutes of Fame with dance in New York City, Attack Theatre in Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom’s Levy Hall, and at Maison Les Beaux Arts in France where he gave a solo piano recital of his music in August of 2024.
Josh works as a ballet accompanist for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and serves as the music director and resident composer for the Confluence Ballet Company in Pittsburgh PA. Josh is the founder of Confluence Ballet Company’s Confluence Music Ensemble which he performs with frequently. Josh also frequently performs as a cellist, improviser, and recitalist in many venues within the city of Pittsburgh. As a cellist he has collaborated with many musicians of different genres and can be heard on the grammy nominated “best new age” album Shakti by Kristina Bennett.
He holds degrees from Mansfield University and Northern Illinois University where received a Master’s degree in music composition and a performer’s certificate in cello performance. Josh also has a private studio of piano and composition students from across the country. He currently resides in the city of Pittsburgh and enjoys artisan breadmaking, flyfishing, and cycling.