Joanne started learning piano at the age of 14, becoming serious about it at age 17. She studied a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theatre at Queensland University Major studies including piano and composition and secondary studies in voice, recorder and later flute. Joanne completed a Diploma of Education in 1982 and spent several years teaching classroom music in Queensland and NSW. Joanne came to Wagga Wagga in 1986 where she taught at the Riverina Conservatorium (1986-1991) and started the HSC music program at Trinity Senior High School, (now Kildare College). Over this time she completed an AmusA in Piano, an ATCL and LTCL in piano pedagogy through Trinity College and was very involved with HSC Music including marking HSC papers, setting trial HSC papers and accompaniment work.
In 1999 Joanne returned to teach at the Riverina Conservatorium becoming Head of Keyboard and Music Theory & Aural in 2004. Joanne was part of the committee for the 10th Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference held in Wagga Wagga. In 2011, Wirripang Music published a number of piano and music craft books for beginning and intermediate level students. Joanne has also performed in various RCM Concerts in solo, ensemble and accompanist roles.
Joanne was appointed Chair of the RCM Curriculum committee in 2010. This group of professional musicians and teachers have drafted stage one of the RCM curriculum which has been most effective in ensuring quality music education.
Joanne continues to have piano music and teaching resources published by Wirripang, provide piano pedagogy workshops for music teachers, and perform when time permits. Joanne loves to teach, and offers a range of piano and music craft programs from beginner to advanced, over a wide range of styles, – classical, popular, jazz, improvisation and composition.