Joanna joins English Touring Opera for Spring 2020 UK Tour
Joanna joins the ETO Company for their Spring 2020 Tour as Fiordiligi in Mozart's Così fan tutte (specific dates only). Joanna is also performing in Artist Recital concerts scheduled during the tour, and starring in the newly-commissioned SEND-children's Opera The Extraordinary Adventures of You and Me. For more information and to book tickets for tour dates, please visit the Performance page.
Joanna travels to Iraq with of The Ankawa Foundation
As an experienced Music Workshop Leader and a qualified Primary School teacher, Joanna was invited by The Ankawa Foundation to travel with them to Erbil, Iraq in October 2019.
The Ankawa Foundation supports the families and children of Northern Iraq to rebuild their lives following the devastation of the nation by ISIS. In response to the Archbishop of Erbil’s request, they have developed a specific Ankawa Education project, to help develop the educational opportunity in the diocese, building close working relationships with the Mar Qardakh and Al Bashara Schools in Ankawa.
The mission of this trip was to provide training and support for teachers in their professional development and to ensure that new teachers are given training before heading into the classroom. Alongside this programme, Joanna also led a week-long Music and Choir project for all the children of the Mar-Qardakh School, culminating in a concert for the local community at Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy Church.
Over the week, the Choir grew from its original 12 pupils to over 80 participants, and all took part in the daily workshops and Finale Concert. Through Music, the students were able to learn the value of Community singing, teamwork within the Choir formation and the ability to commit to one’s own development to achieve a huge personal goal - such as performing in a public concert for the first time.
The concert was a huge success – leading to many encores! To this day, the Choir are still meeting to practice the songs and learning more repertoire to perform again soon.
The trip to Erbil was not a one-time arrangement and the relationship JMS Music has built with the community is still thriving. Meeting with the people and communities and seeing first-hand the want they have to better their education, lives and future did not only inspire us but drives us to provide more opportunities for them to grow and succeed now and in the future.
With recent unrest and worry within the region again, it is crucial now more than ever that this bridge of friendship and trust remains an active source of hope and help for the people of Iraq. We are committed to supporting the Ankawa Foundation’s work and to supporting the people of Iraq to rebuild their lives.
In June 2020, JMS Music shall be organising a fundraising gala to support the Erbil Schools. It is our mission to send Primary School Literacy supplies and Music resources to enrich the children’s learning and support their precious education.
Joanna looks forward to returning to Erbil and developing her relationship with the region and people, including a Reunion Concert with the School Choir and new friends in the near future.
The Ankawa Foundation supports the families and children of Northern Iraq to rebuild their lives following the devastation of the nation by ISIS. In response to the Archbishop of Erbil’s request, they have developed a specific Ankawa Education project, to help develop the educational opportunity in the diocese, building close working relationships with the Mar Qardakh and Al Bashara Schools in Ankawa.
The mission of this trip was to provide training and support for teachers in their professional development and to ensure that new teachers are given training before heading into the classroom. Alongside this programme, Joanna also led a week-long Music and Choir project for all the children of the Mar-Qardakh School, culminating in a concert for the local community at Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy Church.
Over the week, the Choir grew from its original 12 pupils to over 80 participants, and all took part in the daily workshops and Finale Concert. Through Music, the students were able to learn the value of Community singing, teamwork within the Choir formation and the ability to commit to one’s own development to achieve a huge personal goal - such as performing in a public concert for the first time.
The concert was a huge success – leading to many encores! To this day, the Choir are still meeting to practice the songs and learning more repertoire to perform again soon.
The trip to Erbil was not a one-time arrangement and the relationship JMS Music has built with the community is still thriving. Meeting with the people and communities and seeing first-hand the want they have to better their education, lives and future did not only inspire us but drives us to provide more opportunities for them to grow and succeed now and in the future.
With recent unrest and worry within the region again, it is crucial now more than ever that this bridge of friendship and trust remains an active source of hope and help for the people of Iraq. We are committed to supporting the Ankawa Foundation’s work and to supporting the people of Iraq to rebuild their lives.
In June 2020, JMS Music shall be organising a fundraising gala to support the Erbil Schools. It is our mission to send Primary School Literacy supplies and Music resources to enrich the children’s learning and support their precious education.
Joanna looks forward to returning to Erbil and developing her relationship with the region and people, including a Reunion Concert with the School Choir and new friends in the near future.