Joanna has been a professional musician for 21 years and was trained at the Birmingham Conservatoire as a Classical Pianist. Also being trained as a flautist and a contemporary singer, Joanna has a passion for performance and coaching musicians through their journey to both the stage and teaching studio.
As a Senior Instructor for Yamaha Music Schools, Joanna has run keyboard and vocal seminars in Germany, France, Lithuania and the UK and written pedagogical courses, which are now being delivered in many countries throughout Europe.
Joanna is a Senior Examiner for RSL (Rockschool) and was actively involved with the launch of the Performing Arts Awards syllabus.
Joanna has also been a Musical Director for shows in many theatres throughout the UK and performs as the front singer with two function bands.
Joanna is a performer, teacher, coach, composer, examiner and is passionate about musicians of all ages and abilities telling stories and evoking emotions through the performance of music.
He has worked with The Westcountry Theatre Company on their tour of 'The Rivals' as well as working with The Shout-It-Out project, promoting literacy skills. Other roles include Lysander in 'A Midsummer Nights Dream', Abanazer in 'Advent' and chorus member in 'They Smelt Music' a musical adaptation of 'The Tempest' which premiered at the Edinburgh festival in 2001. He was also involved in the highly successful community theatre production of 'The Pub’, which premiered at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth.
After university, Rob moved to Brighton where he trained in physical theatre in London whilst working for several companies in an adminsitrative capacity, and after taking the decision to make a major life change he travelled to America and worked teaching circus skills within schools with the company 'Circus of the Kids’. Upon returning to the UK and deciding to move back to Plymouth Rob, co-formed Trevenna Theatre and directed the hard hitting Show ‘Closer’ by Patrick Marber at the Barbican theatre. Other directing credits include 'Ernie's Incredible Illucinations’, extracts of Sarah Kane's 'Phaedra's Love', Moira Buffinni's 'Gabriel', ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’, ‘The Pajama Game’, Machinal by Sohie Treadwell and most recently Stephen Sondheims 'Passion' which received a 5 star review.
Rob has a love of physical theatre, citing DV8 as one of his major influences to whom he was introduced while studying Performing Arts at Plymouth CFE.
He is was an associate lecturer at City College Plymouth teaching Film, animation and audio production, and while leading the Design & Layout and Photography units he was responsible for setting up a project which brought professional design and layout client experience to the Media students.
As well as working for JJ's Music School Rob runs his own web and graphic design company - Apt Creative which specialises in inexpensive, high quality design work. He also co-founded Apt Theatre with Joanna, who‘s debut production of Sondheim’s ‘Passion’ received 5 star reviews, and How Apt. In addition they started the Trinity Musical Theatre course.
He was also responsible for writing the NOCN Access to Performing Arts HE course which was approved by HEAC in 2006.
Tom joined the JJ’s team in 2010 and trained as a Yamaha Guitar Teacher. Since then, he has taught hundreds of students, from absolute beginner all the way up to Grade 8 and beyond.
Tom is active as a producer, recording bands and artists at JJ’s alongside his own works. Notable productions also include Yamaha Guitar Encounters GE3 and Class Vocals 3 books.
Tom is a busy gigging musician, as the guitarist for metal band, Torqued, premier tribute band, Nightwished, and local function bands Radio Ga Ga and The Zaks.
Gigging career highlights include Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Hammerfest and Bulldog Bash.
I love the buzz of reception as the students wait to begin their lessons and it’s always a lively, happy atmosphere which I love being a part of each week.
Jinglebugs is our singing and dance session for babies up to pre school age. I run this each week at Mr Biscuits café and it’s always so rewarding to watch our Jinglebugs grow up and enjoy the music whilst interacting with their grown- ups. Having 2 children myself, I feel that groups like this are important for the children’s development but also the sanity of the parents too! I feel proud to be providing the chance for us parents to get together each week, watch our children enjoy music and also have a laugh with each other whilst we dance and sing and act silly for their entertainment!
My love for musical theatre and drama blossomed for the 14 years I attended Stagecoach Theatre school Torquay and played huge role in my childhood and development of self-confidence.
During my time there I took part in various shows including; the chorus of the 'Pink Floyd tribute band' at The Princess theatre Torquay and 'Joseph and his technicolour dream coat', also at The Princess. The role I was most proud of playing was Adelaide in our rendition of 'Guys and Dolls'.
I took part in a West End masterclass at Pineapple dance studios in 2009, which was an amazing experience and definitely one I would recommend to others who wish to experience the world of musical theatre!
I have also taken part in local pantomimes, Shakespeare festivals, extra’s work and have begun my own Theatre and drama group based locally in Newton Abbot: “Made for the stage” for children age 5-12 years.
Q. How long have you taught/ Worked at JJ’s, what where you doing before?
A. I have learnt at JJ’s for 6 years, worked here for 2, and before that I worked in a Chinese Takeaway
Q. If you could only listen to one piece of music for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A. The Battle of Cartagena by Alestorm
Q. What is the first full song you learnt and on what instrument?
A. Day Tripper on Guitar
Q. If you could play any instrument in the world what would it be?
A. I would love to be able to sing!
Q. Would you rather never be able to play an instrument again but still hear music, or never hear music again but still play it?
A. Hear but not play, because what’s the point in playing if you can’t listen to yourself, but if I can listen I can still appreciate it
Q. What have you found the hardest skill to master as a musician?
A. Sight reading straight onto my guitar, I’m still far from perfect!
Q. Tell us a funny performing/ teaching experience?
A. Whilst performing, I had to spontaneously change guitar mid song as I had managed to break the wiring inside after ‘artfully’ hitting it!
Q. If you could play with any band or musician from past or present, who would it be?
A. Iron Maiden, without a shadow of a doubt
Q. Tell us a random fact about yourself that no one would know.
A. Despite being a metal-head guitar player, I have never played guitar in a metal band!
Thanks James.
Ryan’s love of music became evident in sixth form where he took every music course offered by his school, achieving distinction stars in Music Performance and Music Technology, and a B in A level Music
After then achieving a distinction in the Associate of Trinity College London performance diploma through a recital examination in 2018, Ryan dedicated himself to teaching full time in primary and secondary schools, and at JJ’s Arts Academy.
Ryan enjoys a wide array of styles and is influenced by fusion drummers such as JoJo Mayer and Dave Weckl, as well as more pocket focused players such as Jeff Porcaro and Benny Greb.
When he isn't teaching, Ryan also performs professionally, having performed with Exeter Philharmonic Choir, multiple award winning 12 piece party, wedding, and function band ‘The Loose Cannons Band’ as well as being the kit player for the Dartmouth Britannia Royal Naval College Concert Band and Big Band.
More to come about Elvy soon
More to come about Bethany soon!!