Joseph Harper carried his passion for music throughout his life. What started with drum lessons as a young boy eventually led him to the Savannah College of Art and Design with a 4.0 GPA, two scholarships and a major in sound design.

During his time in Atlanta, Harper enjoyed seeing performances and concerts at The Tabernacle, the Variety Playhouse and The Fox Theatre. He loved to immerse himself in music, and it was something that was in his soul, said his mother, Lisa Hills.

“He was a genius when it came to music,” she said. “He was a truly talented artist.”

After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in business, Harper moved to Nashville where he was an intern for sound studios in hopes of starting a career in music. Unable to find full-time employment, Harper moved back to Atlanta before heading to Savannah to attend SCAD for an education in sound design.

“SCAD was a magical place for Joseph,” said his stepfather, James “Jim” Hills. “It was a place he loved, a place where he excelled, and it built his confidence levels.”

Joseph John Harper, of Atlanta, died Monday from complications following surgery at his Savannah home where he lived while attending school. He was 26. A funeral mass was held Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta. Interment followed at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs. H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.

Harper was dedicated to his work as a student in sound design, earning the SCAD Student Incentive Scholarship and the SCAD Honors Scholarship. He was also involved with the SCAD Graduate Mentor Program where he mentored a student in sound design and another in literature, his mother said.

With the help of some of his former professors, Harper built a studio in his home in Savannah where he did his own recordings as well as recordings for other students. He was always willing to lend a hand if another student had a problem with something, said Peter Damski, one of the professors who helped build the studio.

“He was having trouble making recordings one day so I climbed in my car and came to help him,” he said. “When I got there, he was busy helping (another student) record her voice to get her a job.”

Harper always loved music but it wasn’t until SCAD that he knew he had found where he belonged. It furthered his experience in music and reflected the fact that he had found something he truly loved, said his stepfather.

“He had no background in music,” said Damski. “He came to one of our music classes and just fell right in with it. He always had his eye in the musical fire.”

In addition to his mother and stepfather, Joseph is survived by one sister, Leah Boccia of Atlanta; and two brothers, Jason Hills of Atlanta and Eric Hills of Atlanta.