Jo-Anne Wurster, BFA
(Music Honours)

Jo-Anne started studying music when she was eight. An accomplished composer and pianist, she has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (music honours) degree from York University and Grade 10 piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her vast knowledge of various cultures, periods and artists is an inspiration for her compositions, which can be heard in many theatrical productions, as well as weddings and other private commissions. She has worked as rehearsal pianist for many theatrical productions, as relief organist and choir conductor for many churches and congregations, as well as accompanying recitals, concerts and weddings.

COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS

PlayCompanyRole
Musical Chairs (working draft)Currently Collaborating Composer/Lyricist

12 Angry Jurors (R. Rose)

  Alexander Showcase Theatre  Composed intro music
Pygmalion (G.B. Shaw)  Alexander Showcase Theatre  Composed scene change and bow music
The Crucible (A. Miller)  Alexander Showcase Theatre  Composed “Proctor’s Theme”
Wedding March  Private Commission  Bridal Marches, piano and string quartet
Spring Rain  Private Commission  Asian-influenced instrumental piece for wedding
Mambo Italiano (S. Gallucio)  Alexander Showcase Theatre  Composed theme song and lyrics
It’s a Wonderful Life (A Radio Play) (adapted by J. Landry)  Alexander Singers and Players  Composed ambient underscore
Soledad (T. McCullouch)   Alumnae Theatre – New Ideas Festival  Arranged music
Landed Fish (E. Andrulat)  Scenes & Dreams Productions  Composed theme song
She Stoops to Conquer (O. Goldsmith)  Alumnae Theatre  Set modern music to Baroque style
The Hope Chest (P. Moriarty)   Just in Time Productions  Composed Celtic underscore
The Pear is Ripe (S. Barrie)  Alumnae Theatre  Composed underscore, 19th century French music; Set the worker’s song (lyrics) to music
The Lark (J. Anouilh)   Mighty Brave Productions  Composed organ French Renaissance music
Dr. Mason’s Cure (E. Andrulat)  Scenes & Dreams Productions  Composed New Age underscore & theme song
Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare)   Driftwood Theatre Productions Composed Spaghetti Western & Spanish underscore; Set the poem, Who is Sylvia, to music

PERFORMANCES

PlayCompanyRole
Little Shop of Horrors (A. Menken, H. Ashman)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Anastasia (S. Flaherty, L. Ahrens, T. McNally)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Anything Goes, revised (C. Porter)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Anne of Green Gables, Staged Radio play (G. & V. Sestito) Alexander Showcase TheatreShow Pianist (onstage)
Cinderella (Rogers & Hammerstein)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Guys and Dolls  (F. Loesser, J. Sterling, & A. Burrows)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
The Hunchback of Notre Dame  (A. Menken, S. Schwartz & P. Parnell)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Trial by Jury  (Gilbert & Sullivan)Alexander Showcase TheatreRelief Rehearsal Pianist
 Kiss Me Kate  (S. & B. Spewack, & C. Porter)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
 Blood Brothers (W. Russell)Jaybird ProductionsRehearsal & Show Pianist
 The Addams Family Musical (A. Lippa, M. Brickman & R. Elice)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Sweeney Todd (S. Sondheim & H. Wheeler)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (R. Holmes)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (M. Brooks & T. Meehan)Alexander Showcase TheatreRehearsal Pianist
It’s a Wonderful Life (A Radio Play) (adapted by J. Landry)Alexander Showcase TheatreShow Pianist
Man of La Mancha (D. Wasserman, J. Darion & M. Leigh)Alexander Singers and PlayersRehearsal Pianist
Sylvia (A.R. Gurney)Alumnae TheatreRecorded accompaniment/Vocal Coach
It’s a Wonderful Life (A Radio Play) (adapted by J. Landry)Alexander Singers and PlayersShow Pianist
My Fair Lady (A.J. Lerner & F. Lowe)Alexander Singers and PlayersRehearsal Pianist
1950’s CavalcadeNags PlayersPianist
The Mumberely Inheritance (W. Graves)Nags PlayersPianist
The Mikado (W.S. Gilbert & A. Sullivan)Scarborough Music TheatreRehearsal pianist
Landed Fish (E. Andrulat)Scenes & Dreams Productions – Tarragon Theatre – University Women’s ClubVocalist/pianist
Fiddler on the Roof (J. Bock, S. Harnick & J. Stein)Brampton Music TheatreOrchestral Keyboardist
Fiddler on the Roof (J. Bock, S. Harnick & J. Stein)Brampton Music TheatreRehearsal pianist
Cabaret (J. Ebb & F. Masteroff)Scarborough Music TheatrePart-time rehearsal pianist
Prima Donna (A. Benjamin)Dualtone ProductionsRehearsal and show pianist
The Lark (J. Anouilh)Mighty Brave ProductionsOrganist
Dr. Mason’s Cure (E. Andrulat) Scenes and Dreams ProductionsVocalist/pianist
Sexy Song ContestSunesis Productions

Rehearsal Pianist/Vocal Coach

MUSIC DIRECTING

VenueRole
Glenview Presbyterian ChurchJunior Choir Conductor (ages 8 – 12) (Past)
Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian ChurchOrganist & Choir director       (Past)
Hustler Bible ClassAssociate Music Director       (Past)

COLLABORATIONS

PlayVenueRole
  The Cape Set lyrics to music
  The Singing Animals of Bremen TownWordworks Festival 2003Set lyrics/Composed original songs

OTHER (PAST)

VenueRole
  Yorkminstrel Show ChoirRehearsal and show pianist
  Nightengale Music ProductionsEdited CDs, researched information, edited liner notes
  Sonic ShowcaseProduced a noon hour concert series at York University

CONTINUING

Role
Composer – composing for private commissions
Freelance Accompanist/Pianist
Freelance Organist and Choir Director

EDUCATION

York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, music honours
Humber College, Arts Management Certificate
Royal Conservatory of Music, Grade ten piano, and Grade four history & harmony

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *