Sakata Judge Joan's good love for dance and Kenya
Joanne Burgess has taught dance and choreography in Cyprus, Egypt, The United States, Bermuda, and now she hopes to make that mark in Kenya. PHOTO | PAULINE ONGAJI
What you need to know:
- Her debut hit single, 'Chiziqa', was released last year in a launch that was rated by some as one of the most attended in Kenyan music history.
- As a dancer, Joanne has taught dance and choreography in Cyprus, Egypt, The United States, Bermuda, and now she hopes to make that mark in Kenya.
We all know her as Judge Joan, from her role as a judge in the Sakata dance competition for the last three seasons.
Her frankness when it comes to making decisions has made Joanne Burgess alias Jo – 1, a darling and a foe to many who cross her dance court.
Apart from dancing activities, Jo-1 is also a writer and singer with a several hits to her name.
Her debut hit single, 'Chiziqa', was released last year in a launch that was rated by some as one of the most attended in Kenyan music history.
'Chiziqa' speaks of letting loose, dancing and being free, a song that year it won Joanne The International artiste of The Year title, in her home country, Bermuda. “The hit features Fisherman, an upcoming reggae artist from Mombasa,” she adds.
She released her latest hit, 'Good Love' last month, whereby she has featured Professor.
Joanne Burgess has taught dance and choreography in Cyprus, Egypt, The United States, Bermuda, and now she hopes to make that mark in Kenya. PHOTO | PAULINE ONGAJI
DANCE MINISTRY
“The theme of "Good Love" includes two lovers who don’t speak each other’s language. The song has a dancehall beat and it continues to do well across the Kenyan airwaves,” she says.
But Joanne’s work as an artiste isn’t new as started while she was only five years where she was involved in church choirs. By the age of 11 she got more music training and even started earning from her talent.
Her talent however, doesn’t end just in music as she is also a writer. In 2008 she published her first book, The Lizard and The Rock, which was followed a year later by a complementing soundtrack’s theme song, 'Free to be Me', a hit that went on to become a winner in her home country.
She published her second book, The Priceless Hogg Penny in 2009 and earlier this year she released a digital version of 'The Lizard and The Rock' .
As a dancer, Joanne has taught dance and choreography in Cyprus, Egypt, The United States, Bermuda, and now she hopes to make that mark in Kenya She says one of the reason that attracted her to Kenya was the fact that there is immense raw dancing talent that if explored can give rise to stars.
“I wanted to be part of the development of the dance industry in Kenya,” she adds.
She has been offering dancing lessons, a project she plans to restart this month. “Interested people can reach me via facebook and twitter. I also offer hip hop lessons for teenagers,” she says.
