Joanna Ward (b. 1998) is a composer, performer, and writer from Newcastle upon Tyne, currently based in London.

Joanna's score-making ranges from the relatively conventional to the very experimental. She often works with pre-recorded audio, video, and in collaboration with other musicians and artists.

Recent projects have included working with her sister, Laurie Ward, on a collaborative piece for LCMF 2025; creating works for the Marian Consort for the Aldeburgh Festival 2024, for Slide Action for their album on NMC Recordings, for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for Tectonics Festival 2022, for Zubin Kanga's Cyborg Soloists project, for the Aldeburgh Festival 2022, for EXAUDI for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, for Natalie Burch for her recent album on Delphian Records, and a co-creation project with Newcastle Youth Choir for the Newcastle Sings Festival 2022.

Upcoming projects include: a new piece for Musarc, for Summer 2025; new vocal music for Lotte Betts-Dean; an album of solo works and ambient music for Michelle Hromin (clarinet), Lucy Havelock (saxophone), Hugh Morris (trombone), Theo Guttenplan (percussion), and others; a graphic score for ensemble either/or (NYC); an album of songs; and a longer form stage work in collaboration with her sister.

Joanna is currently teaching on the MA Arts Management at Goldsmiths University. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Masters in Composition in 2021, learning with Amber Priestley. She was subsequently a Junior Fellow at GSMDs in 2021-22. She was also a Britten Pears Young Artist in 2021-22. Joanna graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in Music in 2019.

As a vocalist and performer, Joanna is interested in contemporary and experimental repertoires as well as songwriting and improvisation. She notably performs in a duo with fellow composer/performer Omri Kochavi, and experimental choral collective Musarc.

Alongside her work as a composer and performer, Joanna works as a fundraiser in the performing arts, in a freelance capacity as well as currently as the Development Manager at Studio Wayne McGregor.

Download Joanna's full CV here.

Download headshots here (all © Meadow Marks, 2024).