Joelle is a native of France who has studied mime, acting, dance and movement since 1970 at schools in France, Canada and the United States. A recipient of a grant through the Inner City Cultural Development Program, she is recognized by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts as a Master Teaching Artist. Her classes and workshops draw on her diverse talents and training. Her program, Singing From the Heart , helps participants develop richness in their voices, using vocal expression as a source of joy and creativity. The workshop provides simple workable techniques using voice and movement in a safe, supportive environment with the aim of liberating talents, musical instincts, and a good, playful feeling.
Improvisation is a life skill.
It's about being who we are in the moment, being present, aware, spontaneous, and in touch with our feelings, and communicating those feelings through sound and movement. In Betsy's Soundmakers workshop, participants are encouraged on their creative journey by being guided to express their own unique sounds through music improvisation. Betsy has used creativity throughout her life as a means of healing, communicating and staying in touch with the playful child self. She joined with a church choir at age 5, has performed in Europe, in the US with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and as a Madrigal singer at Busch Gardens. A composer since the age of 11, she has a Master's of Music degree in composition from the Eastman School.