Joan grew up outside of Washington, D.C. She attended Salisbury State University of Maryland, earning a B.A. with a major in music and a minor in French. Additionally, Joan has received training as a Montessori teacher (Princeton Center for Teacher Education), a crisis counselor, and a CASA worker.
While attending SSU she started playing the organ and went on to study organ at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She earned her Church Music Certificate through Westminster Conservatory.
Joan has sung in the SSU Concert Choir and Collegium Choir, Seattle Chamber Singers, and other church choirs. She has served as the Music Director at Episcopal churches from as far away as Trenton, New Jersey and as close as Marysville.
Presently she teaches General Music and Choir to Preschool through 6th grade at St. Luke School, Shoreline and also gives private lessons to nearly 30 students weekly.
Her three children are in their late teens and early twenties.
