Biography

Described by the Evening Standard as “singing like a dream”, Joanna Marie Skillett is a recent graduate of the Guildhall Opera School; recipient of The Worshipful Company of Musicians Concordia Foundation Founder’s Prize, a Park Lane Group Young Artist and an Ambassador Artist for the international Concordia Foundation.

In the 2015-2016, Joanna made her Royal Opera House Debut as the Dormouse in Will Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland for the Linbury Theatre, following her successful Opera Holland Park Debut the previous Summer in the role. On the concert platform, Joanna recently made her Debuts at London’s Wigmore Hall and St John’s Smith Square in Recitals; The Barbican Hall, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and the Southbank’s Purcell Room.

Recent Operatic Highlights include covering the title role of Leoncavallo’s Zazà and performing the role of Signora Dufresne for Opera Holland Park; Tigrane Radamisto, May The Tale of Januarie, Iolanta Iolanta (GSMD Opera School); Ida Die Fledermaus (Opera Holland Park); HumptyDumpty /Dormouse Alice’s Advenutures in Wonderland (Opera Holland Park);  Rezia Oberon (LSSO/Barbican); Rose Maybud Ruddigore, Patience Patience (Charles Court Opera/Gilbert & Sullivan International Festival, Royal Hall, Harrogate); Buckaroo Dan Billy The Kid (Charles Court Opera); Cinderella Buttons: Another Cinderella Story (Charles Court Opera); Micaëla Carmen (Grimsby Philharmonic); Yvette/Georgette La Rondine (Go Opera/Peroni UK); First Lady The Magic Flute (Regents Opera); La Contessa Le Nozze di Figaro (Amersham Music Festival); Donna Elvira Don Giovanni (OperaUpClose); Musetta La Bohème, Frasquita Carmen (London Festival Opera).

Her performance schedule also includes Recitals at prestigious London venues such as The National Portrait Gallery, St James’s Piccadilly, St-Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal Albert Hall. She has also appeared as Soprano Soloist for The Royal Opera House’s Park Grand Opening and at the Lytham Proms with Lesley Garrett.

A former Essex Musician of the Year, Joanna is an active supporter of Music and the Arts within the Community and was awarded The RAM Open Academy Fellowship. Joanna is a Patron for Corbets Tey School for children with complex learning needs; Visiting Faculty Member of The Caux Artists Programme Switzerland and Director of JMS Music.

Joanna holds a Masters Distinction from The Royal Academy of Music, and graduated The Guildhall School of Music and Drama Opera School in July 2017.

In Spring 2018, Joanna shall make her Company Debut with English Touring Opera as Nella, Gianni Schicchi and star in the ETO Education SEND production This is my Bed, as well as covering the roles of Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi and Giorgetta, Il Tabarro.

Joanna shall also be returning as a Solo Artist for Opera Holland Park 2018.

Musicians’ Company Award: Concordia 2015

Page Updated: May 2018