Joanne trained at the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she studied under Dr. Charles McGaw, Dr. Bella Itkin, Libby Appel, Joe Slowick, Jack Jones, David Avicoli, and Ned Shemickl. She moved from Chicago to New York to perform with a comedy improv troupe called “New Yuk City,” and during that time, worked as a casting assistant at Theatre Now with theatre giants like Neil Simon, Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Roger Vadim, and Lucie Arnaz. From there, she headed to Los Angeles, where she managed Jane Fonda’s Encino Workout, helping develop iconic fitness programs, launching early brand partnerships with Nike and Adidas, and creating the first Mommy & Me class with Jane Fonda herself.

Her extensive teaching career spans the country, from masterclasses at Loyola Marymount University/Theatre Arts College of Communication & Fine Arts in Los Angeles and at the University of Miami at Coral Gables Frost School of Music, to directing multicultural youth at HITS Theatre in Houston. (As Executive Artistic Director, she grew HITS from a small children’s theatre into a nationally recognized training program, directing over 20 musicals and producing large-scale performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre for audiences of up to 4,000.) She has held teaching and directing positions at top institutions in Milwaukee, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Professional Training Program, Pius XI High School Theater Program, and as an Artistic Associate and casting director at First Stage Children’s Theater.