Joanna Stark

Joanna Stark is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist with an eclectic performing background in cello, violin, piano and voice. She studied piano and violin privately from a young age, and later took up the cello in school through Fife Council Instrumental Music Services. Joanna was the recipient of numerous regional awards, including The Fife Young Musician 2015 on cello and piano. She went on to study cello under the guidance of Robin Mason at Edinburgh Napier University, where she obtained a First-Class Honours Degree in Music and was the University Medal winner. Her broad musical interests have led her to performance engagements across the UK, including with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland at the 2016 BBC Proms and with her folk duo, Shamblestone, at the 2017 BBC 2 Young Folk Awards Semi-Finals. Throughout her studies, Joanna has played an active role in the University’s Music scene as the Orchestra’s Cello Section Leader and member of the Contemporary Music Ensemble, as well collaborating on interdisciplinary projects for dance, film, theatre, improvisation and site-specific events. More recently, Joanna has enjoyed performing with her newly established Piano Trio (‘The Forth Trio’), recording for experimental folk collective ‘Mother Julian’, as well as directing music projects at the Eric Liddell Centre’s Dementia Day Care Service.