Joanna Drimatis is currently Head of Strings at MLC School, Sydney and Music Director of the Beecroft Orchestra. After initial studies in Australia in Music Education and Violin Performance, Joanna completed a Masters in Music from the University of Texas at Austin in Violin and Orchestral conducting. In 2009, Joanna graduated with a PhD in Musicology from the Elder Conservatorium of Music and her thesis was awarded the University of Adelaide’s Inaugural Doctoral Research Medal. In addition to being regularly engaged as a Guest Conductor, in the positions of Music Director of the University Orchestra –UTexas at Austin, Music Director of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and Conductor for the Adelaide Youth Orchestra association, Joanna initiated collaborations, commissions and premieres of both Australian and New Zealand works which have been broadcast on NZ Concert FM and ABC Classic FM. As a violinist/violist Joanna has played professionally as an orchestral musician both in Australia and overseas and has performed in recitals and festivals in the USA, Germany, New Zealand and Australia, including Aspen Music Festival (USA), Strawberry Creek Festival (USA) and International Institute of Music (Germany).