FULL BIO

Meet the Team

Joanna Clarke BMus(Hons), LGSMD

Joanna grew up in a family of musicians and started playing the electronic organ at the age of six, going on to win several regional competitions and also the 'Young Theatre Organist of the Year' in 1991. During 1992 she gained 1st place in the national finals of the 'Yamaha Electone Festival', which saw her go on to compete in the European finals in Milan.

She took up the piano, harpsichord and double bass during this time, playing with both the Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Orchestras. Joanna gained a place studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama graduating with a BMus(Hons) degree in 1997, already having vast experience of playing in orchestras, bands and as a soloist.

Since then, Joanna has taught piano/keys both privately and in many schools in Coventry and Warwickshire, lectured at two colleges on the National Diploma in Pop Music course, taught and examined for Yamaha Music Schools and in 2003 became an examiner for the Guildhall School of Music external exams service before it merged with Trinity College London in 2007.

Joanna served as both a generalist examiner and a rock and pop examiner for Trinity until 2022. During this time she also worked as Trinity's advisor for Electronic Keyboard helping develop the keyboard syllabus, arranging (and sometimes composing) many of the pieces and recording much of the repertoire. She regularly gave workshops to teachers and examiners on the syllabus and undertook a number of overseas examining tours.

Joanna currently enjoys focusing on instrumental teaching and co-owns/manages a growing private music teaching practice based in the midlands. In addition, she also teaches piano at The Market Bosworth school and works as a piano accompanist, playing for exams, recitals and concerts. Joanna has directed the music for numerous PR Productions pantomimes, and also acted as lead judge on the judging panel for a national pop music competition for a number of years.

With expertise in both classical piano and more modern keyboard techniques, Joanna is a versatile player of all styles and is able to tailor-make lessons to each individual.

Paule Clarke LGSM

Paule has been teaching for over 50 years and her pupils have had many successes in local festivals and examinations, a few going on to become teachers themselves. She plays piano, electronic organ and keyboard, has obtained Grade Eight in pianoforte and a diploma in Electronic Organ.

Paule studied music with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama as an external student and has been teaching privately since 1971. She was sent to America to study group teaching techniques in Cincinnati, Ohio and upon her return opened several music teaching studios in East Anglia.

Paule became an examiner for the Southern Music Training Centre and travelled the country extensively until the Centre closed in 1993. She also qualified with and became an examiner for the Yamaha Foundation in 1993, working for them for several years. In 1990 Paule was asked to become an examiner for the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and worked for them for 16 years, conducting examinations and workshops for teachers in the UK and abroad. Together with husband Alan (also a Guildhall examiner) she assisted with the compilation of the 1997 Electronic Organ and Keyboard syllabus. They arranged/composed much of the repertoire for the exam books and conducted examiner workshops for these exams.

From 1991 to 2001 she taught Electronic Organ to the A-level music students at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, and for three years she did moderating work for the GCSE examining board Edexcel.

During this time Paule adjudicated at several Music Festivals in the UK and in 1985, 87 and 89 she was one of the adjudicators for the National Electronic Organ Competition run by the Southern Music Training Centre

Paule currently teaches privately from her home as well as teaching piano and keyboard one day a week for Jo Clarke Music at The Hub. She is also the local representative for Trinity College London music exams.

Teddy Owen

Teddy was born into a musical family in Hungary and started piano when he was 5 years old. Teddy completed twelve grades of classical music training with the Lisznyay Szabó Gábor Elementary Art School. During that time he took part in many classical concerts organised by locals, and occasionally accompanied contemporary bands in his free time.

In 2024 he placed second in a national competition and has since played at various venues, giving concerts and collaborating with local festivals and schools.

He relocated to the UK at the end of 2024 and is continuing his studies in music and law, alongside teaching piano privately and has since joined the teaching team at The Hub.

With expertise in classical piano, Teddy is a very adaptable player and is able to engage with students of all ages, covering a wide range of styles.

Joanna Clarke

A Message from Joanna...

"Thank you for visiting my website. I'm Joanna Clarke, a very experienced, CRB checked piano teacher and examiner based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. You can see my full biography above. All ages and abilities are welcome, students can work towards exams or play simply for pleasure with a wide variety of styles covered. Keyboard, organ and theory lessons can also be provided in a friendly atmosphere."

I would love to hear from you!

Mob: 07939 260 129 |joclarkemusic@gmail.com