Lecturer, Viola, Violin
Education
B.M. in Instrumental Music Education and Performer’s Certificate in Viola, at Coe College, graduating cum laude
M.M. in Orchestral Conducting and Viola Performance, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
D.M.A. candidate in Orchestral Conducting at University of Nevada-Reno
JoAnna participated in conducting and music study master classes studying under such conductors and programs as: Sarah Ioannides (Curtis Institute of Music’s Curtis Mentor Network; Cascade Conducting); Jorma Panula (Nordic Master Class); Christian Macelaru (Cabrillo Contemporary Music Festival Conductors Workshop); Monteux School Conductor Seminars; Kenneth Kiesler (Conductors Retreat of Medomak); the teaching of pedagogue Nadia Boulanger under Dr. Philip Lasser (European-American Musical Alliance); Miguel Harth-Bedoya (Conducting Institute); Dwight Oltman (Smoky Mountain International Conducting Institute and Competition); Diane Wittry (Norwalk and Allentown Symphony Orchestras); Thomas Wilkins (Omaha Symphony); Markand Thakar (Baltimore Chamber Orchestra); Harold Farberman (Bard Conductors Institute); Christopher Lyndon-Gee (National Presidential Orchestra of Ukraine); Benjamin Zander (Boston Philharmonic and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra); and many more.
Performance Experience
JoAnna has performed with groups such as Washington Chamber Orchestra, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, Bard Conductors Institute Orchestra, and Rangbrook Ensemble. She has shared the stage in orchestra with world-class musicians such as Soovin Kim, Joshua Bell, Irina Muresanu, Sylvia McNair, Garrick Ohlsson, Jennifer Koh, Wonmi Kim, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Il Divo, Richard Marx, Arnie Roth, Chuck Penington, and many more; she has also appeared performing at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Metropolitan Club of D.C., U.S. Institute of Peace, British Embassy, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., and orchestral and choir tours have taken her throughout the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica.
Teaching Experience
JoAnna is on the adjunct faculty at Northern Virginia Community College as an Instructor in Strings and Music Courses. She has worked as the Youth Orchestras of Prince William Youth Symphony Conductor; Music Adjunct Instructor in Prince George County, MD; a Conductor for Northeast String Orchestra and a church Music Director in upstate New York; Artist Faculty at Omaha Conservatory of Music; Staff Conductor and Cover Conductor at Omaha Area Youth Orchestras. JoAnna is an Assistant Conductor for the orchestra and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the music department at George Mason University. She also held a Graduate Assistantship in Conducting during her Masters program.
JoAnna continues to conduct, teach, perform, write and publish articles in the field of music, and give lectures and orchestral and workshop clinics. In addition to conducting in rehearsals and performances with professional orchestras and soloists throughout the U.S. and Ukraine through master classes, she has been engaged as Guest Conductor and Clinician for several All-County and All-City Orchestra Festivals, school orchestra concerts, and community orchestras around the United States.
At Levine
JoAnna began teaching violin and viola at Levine Music in 2016, founded and directed our Adult String Ensemble, and currently presents our Guided Listening lecture series.
“I enjoy being in a community of faculty that allows room for study, growth, performance, opportunity, and creativity for faculty and students alike, and in a community that is a central and effective part of local community engagement at each campus. I also love being connected to such incredibly talented colleagues.”
Teaching Philosophy and Approach
“My approach is holistic. I enjoy seeing the students develop over time and reach their goals. I believe that there is a way to reach each student in the way that they learn best, no matter the level, age, comfort, skill, or goals, and we work together to try to find the best way for them to succeed. We try to find ways in which they wish to participate in music or how to have music enjoyment be within their lives, or how they can give that joy to others as well. We work on everything from technique to musicality, and incorporate theory, performance goals, and history in our preparation, so the students tend to have a well-rounded approach to not only the instrument but also the other aspects that go with studying, understanding, and sharing it.”
Personal
“I enjoy travel, reading, and spending time with my husband and dog.”