Meet the Teachers
Joanna Thompson
Joanna is the grand daughter of the late John Lindsay ; professional Viola player, teacher and Perth based instrument maker. She has been playing violin since age 9. With musical parents and siblings, her mother was a music specialist teacher, it was obvious that encouraging children into music would remain a passion.
Joanna was encouraged into concert-going from an early age continues to be surrounded by music making in many forms concentrating now on supporting children’s singing and playing in the Newbury area. Her own early singing instruction came from the late Richard Sargentson at Kennet school and its various choirs and school bands.
From age 13 when she joined Reading Youth Orchestra under Robert Roscoe Joanna has played in a number of musical ensembles across the country.
Music is an international language and orchestral tours have taken Joanna to the Netherlands, Hong kong, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and France. Whilst living in Hong Kong she was privileged to work with oboe player Leanne Nicholls, in her establishment of the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra which has just completed its first European tour and has become one of pre-eminent orchestral groups in the far East.
As a parent Joanna has encouraged her own children to relish music for its own sake rather than always the perfection of performance. Joanna trained in 2001/2 with co-founder of PlayMusic Alison Harmer to be an early years specialist music teacher. Her professional qualifications as a trainer, her love of music and ability to 'connect' with little people have combined perfectly in the uniquely rewarding programme called PlayMusic.
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Since 2004 Joanna has been joined by and supported hugely by teachers Sue Conry (East Berks & Surrey) and Sarah Evans (Hampshire). Alison Harmer continues her work in Gloucestershire with Music Garden . She is also is training pre-school teachers in musical awareness and writing music with harpist husband Mark.
Sue Conry
Sue was born into a musical family, learned the clarinet at school and sang in various choirs throughout her school life. Moving around she was able to take advantage of varied musical opportunities.
She started teaching in 1980 having trained at Bishop Otter College, Chichester in Education and Music.
After a 5 year break in 1985 to have children she resumed teaching classroom music in primary schools until teaming up with Joanna in 2004.
Her own children have been very involved in the arts, learning piano and other musical instruments, dance and stage lighting to name a few! Now grown up, they still pursue these interests in their leisure time as work and studies allow.
Sue currently runs PlayMusic classes in 3 locations and teaches music in the Pre-prep department of Eagle House School, Sandhurst. Joanna and Sue meet regularly to share ideas and are always looking for new ways to continue to make music fun and exciting.