“As a lifelong avid swimmer, I’ve always had a strong and effortless breath capacity -- in the water. But as a young actress, I was surprised when that breath support did not translate on stage. At rehearsals, I pushed my voice to be heard, causing strain and stridency. No matter how many times I was told to support from the diaphragm, it didn’t change a thing. Even speaking casually with friends, by the end of the evening my throat felt sore. If this continued, acting opportunities would be limited. That’s when I began studying with Clyde Vinson who taught the Linklater approach and my voice began to transform.”
Joanne studied the Linklater approach for the voice with Clyde Vinson for many years in both private sessions and group workshops. Under Mr. Vinson’s tutelage, she began to teach with him at Circle in the Square. Joanne went on to become the voice teacher and monologue coach as a senior faculty member at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Theater Institute, where she worked with college students for ten years. She has also been a visiting professor at Trinity College, Connecticut College and Central Connecticut State University.
In New York City, Joanne has taught at the National Shakespeare Theater, The Acting Studio, The Susan Grace Cohen Studio and most notably at the Ward Acting Studio, where she has been a senior faculty member since 1998.
As an actress, Joanne trained in the Meisner technique with Bill Esper. She has acted in numerous off and off-off Broadway productions and has worked with renowned avant-garde directors, Lee Breuer and Richard Foreman. Television credits include a PBS Great Performance Series, Law and Order, numerous commercials, industrials and voice overs.