Joanna Leigh Elliott is a recitalist of international stature, and has appeared in recital in important churches and cathedrals throughout the U.S and Europe. She began her organ studies under Philip Baker of Dallas, TX, and as a young recitalist was named the winner of the TMTA (Texas Music Teachers Association) Post-Graduate Organ Competition, Regional finalist in the American Guild of Organists Young Organists Competition, and National Finalist in the MTNA Collegiate Organ Competition. She is the recipient of the Doctorate of Musical Arts from University of Houston under the direction of Dr. Robert Bates. She also received a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Baylor University, where she was a student of Dr. Joyce Jones. She has studied with a number of noted organ pedagogues, including Siegbert Rampe, Dr. Michael Farris, Dr. Kiyo Watanabe, Dan Miller, Dr. Janette Fishell, Cherry Rhodes, and Jean Boyer in Haarlem, Netherlands. Most notably, Joanna recently returned from a semester of study in Paris and Toulouse, France with Michel Bouvard, Naji Hakim, and Marie-Claire Alain.
She has been a featured soloist for the Baylor University Organ Conference, as well as appearing several times under the auspices of the American guild of Organists, for the Dallas and Central Texas chapters. Other noted recital venues have included Westminster United Methodist Church, Houston; St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin; Wesleyan University for the Young Virtuosi Concert Series; First Congregational Church, Los Angeles; Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis; National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City. Among her European destinations, are the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse, France, and in April, 2006, she made her Paris debut at Olivier Messiaen’s former church, Église de la Trinité.
Joanna also is a concert harpist, and received her MM in harp performance from Baylor University. She has performed as soloist and served as harpist for several ensembles including the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Waco Chamber Ensemble, Angelettes Harp Ensemble, Ft. Worth Civic Orchestra, University of Houston and the Houston Civic Orchestra.
Joanna serves as organist for Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston, TX.
