BIOGRAPHY
Jo started working in the Live Events industry at the tender age of 16 learning to do lights at the famed Pink Toothbrush Club in Essex. Over just a few months she moved from club nights to live acts and was then asked by the visiting bands to tour with them for PDs. Her work as a lighting designer led to regular touring as LD for the up and coming bands of the then new indie scene and grunge bands from Seattle.
Her creativity with light came from always having a love for the music she was responding to and the fact that she sees music in colour, shape and form, almost like a type of synesthesia. She was the youngest person in the world and the first woman to train on the LSD IKON, and worked across the world designing and operating lights and eventually all aspects of production for the first six years of her career. Towards the end of this period, she moved into Production and Tour Managing before returning to study and qualify as a Professional Youth and Community Worker.
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From Divas to Divas...
After the birth of her first child, Joanna spent time working as a Professional Youth and Community Worker; teaching, educating and empowering young people to learn and develop and, in some circumstances, re-engage with the world. Using the Arts and Music as a tools to empower change in the lives of young people, her projects won awards and she was asked to sit on national bodies to develop future working practices. Her greatest gift from this time was being told that she had inspired others to want to create change in the lives of others. That accolade is in itself a priceless gem. The return of The Lady with the Lamp ...
In 2001, Joanna returned to the Live Events Industry and began to reconnect with Lighting and Set Design. Her background in project management and resilient attitude meant she was asked to Crew Chief some large shows, and the invitation to be the resident LD at the sadly now closed Ocean venue in Hackney. Following this she was asked by the Beta Band to Production Design their shows and remained with them until she left the Live Music Industry again to have her second child in 2004.
Joanna has designed and managed multiple corporate events, as an event designer, stylist, floral designer and producer. In more recent times she has moved more into the field of Production Managing mainly for large scale outdoor events. At present she is working on designs for Jubilant Productions and Principal Girl as well as established collaborations with Kristina Train and Caroline Smith. She continues to develop a large-scale installation pieces, using light, film, words and space. Its all about inspiring..
Joanna is a keen advocate of Women in the Live Events and Music Industry. Joanna is a University Lecturer in Concept Design, Live Event Production and Industry Law and Creative Entrepreneurship. Jo develops and reviews Creative Industries qualifications, and assesses the Level 7 Production Manager Apprenticeship Standard. Jo is a key note speaker across the world in equality in the live industry, accrediting experience, and inspiring the next generation.
In 2023 Jo was nominated to be a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement for the Arts, manufactures and commerce. Joanna splits her life between being the creative driving force behind both the education and creative aspects of her career as well leading her team to make great ideas a reality via her projects. She has been the Lead Programme Producer for Creative People and Places Project Creative Basildon since 2022, giving back to and developing Arts and innovative creative projects across priority places within Basildon Borough. She remains in the music industry as proud Tour and Production Manager of Symphonica and Mr Switch, Production Director for varying festivals and large scale events and Event Director for many immersive and corporate events and shows. Creative as she goes She has recently graduated from University in Art and the Environment. She is currently a member of the ToMA 22- 24 Cohort . Her work can be seen in creative practice section of the website. The wider project naturespacecreative seeks to empower responses to natural and built environments through the arts and education. Joanna’s special qualities are her tireless enthusiasm for ideas, finding ways to make things happen, her passion for educating and inspiring, an ability to bend time, being a dynamic and creative thinker on many levels and her ability to dispel tension with compassion. She is an avid tea drinker and loves The West Wing. You will find her on her front step most mornings waking up to the world. She likes swimming in the sea. She likes nature, adventures and writing. Jo is a Mom to 3 children 27, 20, 15 and lives in Benfleet, Essex She has 3 cats. She is an advocate , member and ally of mental health and live industry forums and fellowships and over the summer in 2024 she will be present with Music Supports at their back stage recovery spaces at festivals. |