After developing a love for music at an early age, Joanna began studying the cello with John Leitch in Alloway, South Ayrshire, at the age of 8. Ensemble playing soon became a key focus for Joanna, with highlights including being co-principal cellist of the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland, and touring the UK and Europe with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the NYOS String Ensemble. Joanna has won a number of awards at the Ayrshire Music Festival, including the McGill Cello Cup, the M L Limond Prize, the Bank of Scotland Trophy for a performance of the Vivaldi Double Cello Concerto. In 2012, Joanna spent her year abroad in Santander, Spain, where she taught English as a Foreign Language, and studied cello at the Conservatorio Ataulfo Argenta with Miren Zubeldia. Joanna graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2014 with an MA(Hons) in International Relations and Spanish. During her time there, Joanna enjoyed a number of excellent musical opportunities. She was principal cello in its Symphony Orchestra and New Music Ensemble, co-principal of its Chamber Orchestra, and took part in a variety of small chamber groups including string quartets, trad/folk bands and a tango ensemble. Joanna also toured Belgium as principal cello of the Universities of Scotland Symphony Orchestra. During her postgraduate studies of LLM International Law and Security at the University of Glasgow, Joanna played in the Kelvin Ensemble. She is also currently a member of Glasgow Philharmonia and the Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra, with whom she performs at regular events and concerts. Joanna is a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow and is studying for her PhD in International Law. She plays regularly with the Rosewood String Quartet and also with Kitty Music, Rhona Macfarlane, and Appassionata.