Joan Harrison, MM (Yale School of Music), PhD (Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa) is a cellist, educator, and entrepreneur. She has performed as principal cellist on modern and baroque instruments in numerous ensembles including the New York City Opera, Aradia Ensemble, the Toronto Chamber Orchestra, and Opera Lyra. Joan is also a dedicated pedagogue and has taught at numerous institutions including the Perlman Music Program (Itzak Perlman’s program in Shelter Island, New York), and in New York City at the School for Strings and the United Nations International School.
Joan merged her passions for music and education by completing her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Joel Westheimer at the University of Ottawa. Her research was supported by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SHHRC), the University of Ottawa, and the American String Teachers Association. Her thesis focused on links between citizenship and music education. As an entrepreneur, Joan develops products that connect learning music with cognition, physical wellness, and fun (www.enterprisingrabbit.com).
In the summer of 2013, Joan founded the Capital Strings Collective (CSC) community orchestra, which along with the I Cellisti cello choir, is in residence at a long-term care centre. These multigenerational ensembles participate in research practice in music education, democratic citizenship, empathy, and well-being. This fall an intergenerational choir will be added to the program.
Joan regularly performs in the Amberwood Duo with pianist Elaine Keillor. To date they have recorded three CDs including When Music Sounds: Canadian works for cello and piano (NAXOS), Narratives on Life (Marquis), and A Little Knight Music: Selected works of General Sir Maurice Grove Taylor (Enterprising Rabbit). Their performances have been heard live and on air throughout Europe and North America and International reviewers have praised their work as “brilliant”, “fascinating, delightful, and exemplary throughout”.