Joanne McGowan is a dance and drama tutor with over 10 years experience. After graduating from the University of Surrey with an honours degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and IDTA Associate qualifications in Ballet & Tap, Joanne took over the ownership of Willow School of Dance and ran this very successfully for nine years. In that time Joanne more than doubled the students, trained 5 teachers to associate level and entered hundreds of successful candidates for IDTA exams.
Alongside the Willow School of Dance, Joanne founded Mayhem Productions (now MMTC) and Young Stars Theatre Group with the aim of providing innovative musical theatre productions in Surrey. Joanne directed and choreographed numerous shows for both groups including South Pacific, Cabaret, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Into the Woods and The Wiz at various venues including the Charles Cryer Theatre, Epsom Playhouse and Secombe Theatre.
Throughout her career Joanne has continued to develop professionally, studying with IDTA examiner Loraine Hastings to gain Fellowship in Freestyle Dance and a Graduate qualification in Theatre craft and a diploma in Dance Exercise. She is also a qualified Aerobics instructor and continues to train with IDTA Examiner and President, Colin Donaldson in Ballroom and Latin American Dance.
Since starting a family Joanne now works on a purely freelance basis across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Recent projects have been as diverse as teaching ballroom to the over 50′s, salsa to Year 6′s, drama training to heritage centre tour guides and creating first dances for several prospective brides and grooms. Joanne works regularly in primary schools delivering extra curricular dance clubs and one-off taster sessions, for youth theatres and theatre schools.
Joanne is proud of her association with BANJOS and is thrilled to have seen it develop from strength to strength. Her aim has always been to develop skills in many aspects of drama and many different styles of dance as well as producing quality performances.