Meet the New Encore Tours Program Manager: Josh Witt

Our team at Encore Tours continues to grow! Meet Josh, one of our new Program Managers.

For anybody who’s unfamiliar with the various roles at Encore, our Program Managers are the primary point of contact for directors, and they assist with all pre-trip arrangements once an itinerary has been created. From concert management to rooming lists to billing inquiries and beyond, they are your liaison to the behind-the-scenes Encore team. They collaborate closely with your dedicated Tour Consultant to guarantee that your group’s unique needs are met and that everything works smoothly through the trip’s completion.

Josh is passionate about music and travel and comes to Encore Tours after graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Josh will be working with new directors to help ensure their next performance tour is an unforgettable experience.

Welcome Josh! To get this started, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in the Bay Area, California, and started playing the piano as a bright-eyed 8-year-old. I began singing shortly after and found myself pursuing music at both an arts high school and, eventually, Berklee College of Music.

I currently direct and front my very own 1950s & ‘60s style Doo Wop Acapella Group, Josh & The Wittness, which performs around the Boston area. Vocal harmony from throughout time and throughout the world has impacted my musical sphere, and I find it especially joyful to listen to those mid-century American classics. I’ve also been delighted to find a wonderful scene for other superfans of that 1950s style in different parts of Europe, where such festivals and gatherings abound! 

Thanks! And what did you find so compelling about this position at Encore Tours?

Travel has always been a big part of my life, and it has managed to magically intertwine itself with my musical experiences. I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Valencia, Spain, where I immersed myself in the local musical styles and history. I spent a portion of my semester in the Andalusian cities of Sevilla and Córdoba, where I experienced Flamenco singing, playing, and dancing straight from the source. This experience was life-changing, and it opened by eyes to the power music has to bring people together — regardless of language or cultural barriers.

I love that Encore provides such an enriching experience to both curious young musicians and even the more seasoned musical traveler. I’ve seen firsthand how travel can help strengthen relationships, enhance your creativity, and expand your horizons — both musically and personally. I can’t wait to help other travelers embark on their own transformative experiences.

Do you have a favorite travel destination?

On my spring break during my semester abroad, I traveled to the Italian island of Sardinia. While there, I studied the local vocal harmony-based style of music, Cantu a Tenore, which is a UNESCO protected style of Intangible World Heritage. The style features overtone and throat singing which, due to its acoustic properties, is capable of resonating throughout an entire room, or Sardinian pastoral landscape.

This was an incredibly significant and memorable trip for me; however, I would be doing an injustice to this majestic island to focus solely on the music. Sardinia is renowned for its captivating beaches, clear waters, spectacular scenery, and mouthwatering cuisine. There were also some wonderful hiking trails with breathtaking views throughout.

Are there any other destinations you’re hoping to visit?

I am very much looking forward to exploring the rest of Europe and other regions around the world in a way that facilitates my continued education in each location’s rich musical history. I love that Encore provides such an enriching experience of doing just that for all sorts of musicians. If I had to pick one destination to visit, I’d probably pick Salzburg. Austria has such a rich musical history, and Salzburg looks to be one of the most picturesque of all European cities. There are also so many incredible, historic concert venues, and I would love to test out their acoustics!

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?

Outside of music, I am an avid sports fan (all San Francisco professional teams), a casual pickup soccer player, an outdoorsman, an aspiring at-home plant-based chef, and a craft beer lover. With that said, music (and specifically live performances) is definitely my primary passion.

Thanks Josh, and welcome to the team!

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Interested in planning your next performance tour? Speak with a member of our amazing team and start planning your ensemble’s next trip today!