Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joanna Kaye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have has the very good fortune to be able to make a living from my creative work. I graduated from college with a degree in vocal performance. I worked on various cruise ships and did the South Florida Condo Circuit. I moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue an acting career. It was there that I became a club DJ and Karaoke host. After moving back to South Florida to be closer to family, I started working as a mobile DJ. I but soon grew weary of carrying heavy equipment around. Radio seemed to be the next logical step so I enrolled in the Radio Broadcasting program at Miami Lakes Technical Institute. I fell head over heels for radio. I landed my first job, before I graduated, at WXEL. WXEL was a public television and radio station. The radio station broadcasted NPR programs and classical music. It was a perfect way for me to use what I had learned in college, my acting skills and my newfound training in broadcasting. I eventually became the manager of the station and hosted a daily program devoted to classical music and culture. I would interview local musicians and many of the world renowned musicians who came to Florida to perform. I became known as The Voice of the Arts for South Florida. After WXEL was sold I spent 2 years Managing WQED in Pittsburgh. I came home and became the Director of Festival of the Arts Boca. This was one of the organizations that I had helped to promote through my radio program.

Joanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always loved to sing. Music and the arts have always been important to me. It wasn’t until I got into broadcasting that I realized that there was so much more that I could do in the arts besides sing. Exposing children, and people in general, to music that they had never heard before can be life altering! One of our guiding principles at Festival of the Arts Boca is to expose people of all ages to the fine arts through music, dance, and liteature. Not every child who takes music lessons will become a professional musician, but they will all benefit from it. Being in a chorus, band, or orchestra teaches you how to work together. They learn how important it is to be prepared, to show up on time, and have clothes that are pressed and clean shoes. Many people come to appreciate classical music when they get older. That’s okay. It has been that way for over a century. My goal is to make sure that it is still being presented in a fresh and exciting way and to ensure that it will be there for the next generation to enjoy. We had an instrument “petting zoo” at the Festival this year. Seeing the smile on the face of a little girl trying to play a violin for the first time. Having someone tell me that they had no idea what to expect from a concert, but that they loved it. Moments like that make me proud.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot so many times, most people would get dizzy. From singer/actress to club DJ, to Radio Manager, to Executive Director of a 10-day Festival while still performing and helping to run a music contracting business with my husband. I think we all need to embrace the pivot! You learn skills in ife and with every job that can somehow help to prepare you for what’s next. Shortly afer I arrived in Pittsburgh, the station realized that they were having financial troubles. Within 2 years they knew they had to downsize. I got lucky. They offered the entire staff the option of a buy out. With my husband and I living in different states, I knew I had to take it. By chance, my husband had a lunch with the founders of Festival of the Arts Boca.. They mentioned that they needed an administrator. I had been managing radio stations for 17 years. This was a 10-day performing arts and literary Festival. I met with the founders and we decided to give it a try. I have been with the Festival for almost 9 years. It’s not an easy job. Raising money for the arts isn’t easy. Coming out of the pamdemic has been scary, but I am grateful to still be in the arts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I can help a person feel better or make them smile. My husband created a program at Boca Raton Regional Hospital called The Art of Healing. We are not music therapists. We bring live music to the hospital. Sometimes we are in waiting rooms, the lobby, the cafeteria, or in patient rooms. When someone comes up to me to tell me that hearing me sing helped them get through this stressful time, or when a patient start singing along. Those moments are gold. Yes, presnting big concerts is exciting, but it’s the personal connection that I find most rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: festivalboca.org jkproductionsfl.org
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joannamarie

Image Credits
DHR Headshots Storyworkz Photography