Joanne Dexter

Born in Yorkshire Joanne studied at The Royal Scottish Conservatoire where she won numerous awards and prizes including the Sybil Tutton Scholarship and the Ye Cronies Opera Competition. She then studied Italian at the University of Perugia.

Having worked extensively in the worlds of concert and opera Joanne is an experienced performer in both specialities, having sung in some of the most prestigious venues in the UK and abroad with leading conductors, composers and orchestras.

As a soloist with Opera North Joanne has worked with such respected conductors as Richard Farnes, David Parry, Wyn Davies, Richard Hickox, Dietfried Bernet, Martin Andre and Paul Daniel,  singing  many roles including The Woodbird Siegfried, Papagena Die Zauberflote, Noble Orphan Der Rosenkavalier, Shepherd Boy Tosca, Barbarina Le Nozze di Figaro, Gianetta L’Elisir d’Amore, Dama Macbeth, Lisette La Rondine, Karolka Jenufa, Carolina Secret Marriage, First Lady  Idomeneo, 2^nd Niece Peter Grimes, Clerida Croesus.

Roles with other companies include Musetta La Boheme (ETO), Helene Une Education Manquee (Les Azuriales Opera)  Covent Garden, Pamina and Papagena Die Zauberflote (Pavilion Opera) in Japan, Spain, France and the Aix En Provence Festival.

Concert credits are equally impressive with notable performances including the role of Frasquita Carmen (Scottish Chamber Orchestra), Mozart Concert Aria K505 (Lakeland Sinfonia and Wyn Davies), Bach Cantatas and Opera Galas (Opera North), Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opera North and Richard Farnes), Mendelssohn Hear My Prayer (Leeds Festival Chorus and Simon Wright).

Joanne has been fortunate to perform many contemporary works in the presence of composers including Cecilia McDowell Magnificat, Andrew Carter Musick’s Jubilee, Alan Bullard Canticle of Freedom, Jonathan Dove Pinocchio.

Equally at home with oratorio her credits include all the standard works performed with major choral societies throughout the UK and abroad. Notable performances include Messiah  (Dortmund Cathedral, Huddersfield Town Hall, Hull Choral Union, Halifax Choral, Doncaster Choral, Sheffield Bach Choir and Skipton Camerata with Ben Crick), B Minor Mass (Aberdeen Bach Choir), Canterbury Pilgrims (Eton),   Dvorak Stabat Mater (Chester Cathedral with Liverpool Sinfonia), Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony (Durham Cathedral), St John Passion (Halifax Choral with John Pryce Jones),  Exsultate Jubilate, Vivaldi Gloria and Schubert Mass in G (Doncaster Choral with Simon Lindley),Vivaldi Gloria (Hull Choral Union).

Joanne enjoys recital work and was invited to perform for the famous Leeds Lieder Festival (BBC Radio 3) with renowned accompanist Gary Matthewman and also for the Northern Aldborough Festival.

Her recordings and broadcasts include The First Lady Idomeneo for Chandos with Opera North, Donna Elvira Masterclass with Sir Thomas Allen (BBC2), Messiah (BBC Radio3) Huddersfield Town Hall.

Being fortunate enough to have a successful career in classical music Joanne never forgets her roots in lighter entertainment and is proud to say that she made her singing debut performing at Leeds Grand Theatre alongside the famous comedian Ken Dodd.

www.jodexter.co.uk

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