Joanne Ball-Burgess

Jo-1 (Joanne Ball-Burgess) Bio

Joanne Ball – Burgess (B.A., M.Ed) , a resident of Nairobi, Kenya & citizen of the world was born February 12th  in Bermuda, a British island territory (Pop.70,864) in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Better known by her stage name Judge Jo-1, she is a multitalented Dancer, Choreographer, Singer, Songwriter, Author, Educator, Yogini & Television Personality.

She began her career by receiving operatic vocal training at age 11 and has been dancing since age 13. She began formal dance training at age 14 which escalated further at age 19 while in college in Columbus, Ohio USA.

Bermudians are chiefly of African & Native American descent, though they also have strong historical links with the United States and the UK.

Jo-1 was actually born to dance and bridge continental divides in the process. She has formal training in West African Dance, Modern Contemporary dance, Lyrical & Ballet coupled with East African traditional dances, Hip Hop & Dancehall as well as some dabbling in Musical Theatre.

Jo-1 has participated as a member of the Dance Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma USA & the Greenwood Dance Company which was also in Oklahoma from 2002-2004.  She has taught dance & performed in the USA, Israel, Cyprus, Egypt, Bermuda, Uganda & Kenya.

As the longest serving female judge for East Africa’s widely acclaimed dance competition show “Sakata Mashariki” on Citizen TV, Jo-1 emerged as the unparalleled breath of fresh air the dance industry lacked thus generating her a beloved fan base.

The magic of Jo-1 has spread like wildfire in the East African region, Bermuda & beyond.

Jo-1’s passion & prowess have earned her the distinction of the voice of the voiceless as an outspoken defender of Dancers Rights.

Jo-1 is both ambitious and charismatic evidenced by her maxim “with Faith, Hard Work & Preparation anything is possible.”

Credits:

Education

• Bachelor’s of Arts Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in History and Philosophy from Oral Robert’s University, Tulsa Oklahoma 2004
• Master’s Degree Classes in Comparative Religion and Hebrew Language Hebrew University, Jerusalem  2006-2008
• Master’s of Education Degree from Endicott College, Massachusetts  2010
• Copyright Law Course (CopyrightX) Harvard University 2018 (at present)

Author

• The Lizard & The Rock – a fable of Bermuda’s discovery – Best Seller 2008
• The Lizard & The Rock – Audio Book CD 2009
• The Priceless Hogg Penny – a tale of true treasure (print form only) 2009
• Presenter at The Arkansas Literary Festival 2009
• Take This Journey With Me: Bermuda Anthology of Memoir & Creative Non-Fiction (An Underworld Education)
• Storymoja Festival, Nairobi Kenya, 2015 (re-release of the Lizard & the Rock and dance & poetry workshops)
• Storymoja Festival Nairobi, Kenya 2017 (dance & poetry workshops expanded along with master classes)
• Numerous academic papers & presentations at local & international platforms

Educator

• Support teacher with an emphasis in learning challenges such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia 2008-2009
• Master’s Degree in Education from Endicott College wit research thesis on How the Arts: Music, Dance and Drama impact overall learning and growth in middle school students in Bermuda. 2009
• Education and Outreach Officer of the Bermuda National Gallery 2009-2010
• Created and taught Poetry curriculum at Woodland Star School and taught Social Studies Limuru Kenya 2013
• Founder, The Cottage School – use of Creative Learning for Cognitive Development 2014

• Board Member of The Theatre Company Kenya 2018

Dance and Fitness Expertise

• Dance Fitness 2005-present
• Dance Choreography and Performance 1997-present locally and internationally
  • Afro-fusion
  • Contemporary
  • Jazz Funk
  • Hip Hop
  • Dancehall
  • Lyrical
• Dance Yogi Combination Classes 2016-present
• Aerobic Training 2004
• Yoga Teacher Certification in Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga 2017 (200 Hours training with 5 years consistent practice)
• Yoga Anatomy Certification 200 Hours 2017
• Nutrition 2015-present
• Health Products 2016-present
• Hormone balance for women
• Natural Beauty Products

Discography

• Background Vocals for Lee Fishman (Israeli Artist) 2008
• The Lizard and the Rock CD and songwriting
• “Free to Be Me” song awarded and congratulated by the Government of Bermuda during the Bermuda 400 Year Anniversary 2009
• “Free to Be Me” Performed during the Bermuda 400 Anniversary Gala Dinner for the Premier of Bermuda and the Governor of Bermuda. 2009
• Chizika 2013
• Good Love 2014
• Don’t Disturb My Dance 2016
• No Ordinary Christmas 2017
• Vast unreleased catalogue

Media Appearances & Endorsements

• Salon Magazine cover March 2013
• Healthy Woman magazine cover May 2014
• She Magazine cover October 2016
• Yes We Vibe Endorsement 2017
• Kili Naturals Health Products (Brand Ambassador) 2016
• YouTube Vlogs on health and dance

Dance & Choreography

• Hip Hop
• Dancehall
• Contemporary
• Afro-fusion
• Choreography Classes

Training and Performance

• Numerous Music Videos

 Team Jo-1 Structure At Present

• Social Media Manager
• Digital Media Strategist
• Videographer & Photographer