The Heroine’s Journey of Joanna Borrett

What is the best thing that I love about my work? When composing is going well it feels that the music is almost writing itself. You are in touch with your intuition and instinct, and that’s exciting.

What is my idea of happiness? Being with people I love.

What is my greatest fear? For no one to know who I am.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Envy…I think it’s one of the most destructive forces in the world. So often what you are envious of is an illusion anyway.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? The composers Paul Carr and John Rutter.

What is my greatest extravagance? My Vuillaume cello…one of only eighty in the world.

On what occasion would I lie? To protect people I love.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The need for marketing and promotion.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Whenever work has given me the freedom to be creative I’ve been happy.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I think those sort of wishes are dangerous – think of all the alarming Three Wishes fairy tales! It’s more important to accept who you are.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Forming Peterborough String Orchestra in 1984 – it was the only full time professional orchestra in the East of England at the time. And composing Clan, which I did quite recently.

Where would I most like to live? I like living where I am, but I have a dream of living in Cornwall one day.

What is my most treasured possession? My family photographs.

What is my most marked characteristic? The ability to learn from setbacks.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The church in my village, which has a sense of stillness and continuity. I go there sometimes when I really need to think.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? There are lots of good local countryside pubs but I don’t have anywhere really special.

What books influenced my life and how? I read Systems and Methods of Creative Acting by Stanislavsky in my teens and I has had a huge influence in my life. Stanislavsky’s commitment to art, and the importance he placed on art needing to have something truthful to say that connects with people, has given me something to steer by in my life.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I’m agnostic so I don’t know what happens after death or how many lives we may have. But I think I would rather be with people I care about with no music when I die. Silence can be wonderful and it can be a way to become closer to things that really matter.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? I rather like Margaret Hale in the novel North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. She certainly has her flaws, but she is honest and has integrity and strength.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I have a poster of the famous early 20th century pianist Paderewski in my kitchen and it cheers me whenever I look at it. I read Paderewski’s biography in my teens and I was impressed at his phenomenal will power and determination to succeed despite numerous put downs from famous musicians. I was also lucky enough to have some very inspiring teachers – my cello teacher Christopher Bunting and the violinist Emmanuel Hurwitz have had a very positive impact on my development as a musician.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Probably Dead Poets Society

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to you? They remind me that’s it’s important to be who you really are rather than present an image of yourself that leaves bits out. Real life may not fit neatly into a box, but it is real.

What project am I looking forward to work on? The first performance of my string orchestra piece Clan is taking place in February and I am hugely excited about that. I am hoping some of my other string orchestra music will be performed next year too. And I’m always delighted and grateful when anyone chooses to play music I have composed.

Where can you see me or my work? My website has links to my published music: http://www.joannaborrett.com – I offer free weekly videos on string improvising on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082675994427. And you can hear recordings of some of my music on my Soundcloud site and on You Tube.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Artists are very lucky in having the potential to continue developing throughout their lives.

How can you contact me? By email: jbcontact@btinternet.com

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