Joanne Pyle

Joanne sings with two choirs, Tranquillity Methodist (her church choir) and the Lydians. She greatly treasures her participation in the 1990 musical festival as part of a Lydian group of soloists who called themselves 'The Motley Crew' and won in several classes.

However, she was most challenged by solo work she undertook for the 1994 Lydian Ladies Concert when her dramatic soprano voice thrilled audiences with works inclusive of 'Ritorna Vincitor' from Verdi's Aida, Bach's 'Bist du Bei Mir', Bizet's 'Agnus Dei' and the Negro spiritual 'Were You There'.

The role of Turandot is her most challenging to date, more difficult in her estimation than lead roles in two previous operas - 'Koanga' and 'L'Elisir d'Amore'. Joanne recently shared the title role with Glenis as Euridice in the opera 'Orpheus and Euridice' by C.W. Gluck in September, 2005. She is grateful to Clarence Simmons organist at Tranquillity Methodist Church for voice training but her role model remains Pat Bishop to whom she remains eternally grateful for development of her voice and affording her exposure.

Joanne is a manager at Signature 2000, and in her spare time she enjoys cooking. Participation in the choir provides her with a refuge from the frustrations and pain of everyday life and she also finds it an ongoing learning experience.