Born into a farming family in Colorado, Joan earned a degree from the University of Wyoming in Theatre Arts and Music. She came to this area because of the proximity of Chicago “and the beauty and friendliness of the people here” and has stayed, in part, “because the music and arts scene here is amazing.” She describes her life as “all-music, all the time,” and works at Roxy Music Shop. In addition to teaching piano, Joan has played, directed choirs and sung at area churches and on praise teams since 1998.