Meet the conductor: Joanna Petrie
Joanna started playing the violin when she was seven and always loved playing in orchestras.
She had some wonderful and kind teachers (one of them kept goats and another bred Siamese cats) and was able to go on to play viola in some of Scotland’s orchestras, getting to travel to other countries like Paraguay and play some of her favourite pieces.
She loves teaching people to play the violin and viola and choosing music for them to enjoy playing in groups.
She once spoiled a whole orchestra recording with a loud stomach rumble, and her greatest regret was once not being free to play on a Rod Stewart tour.
Q&A with Joanna
What instrument or instruments do you play?
- The viola and violin, the piano and the recorder, the ‘cello a little bit and the double bass a very little bit!
What instrument do you wish you could play but don’t?
- The clarsach, although sadly I can’t sing along in Gaelic.
Why is playing in an orchestra fun?
- It’s wonderful making something amazing with other people and doing it all with body language and facial expression – it’s like magic.
What is your best memory of playing in an orchestra and why?
- The first Prom I ever did in London, stepping over people having their dinner on the pavement in the queue and realising they were coming to see the concert I was in – that was cool! It makes you feel like everyone is connected.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
- I think Fife is pretty good, but Orkney would be nice too.
What is your favourite Janetta’s ice cream flavour?
- Rum and raisin every time.
What’s your favourite local beauty spot?
- I love St Andrews pier on a stormy Autumn day – getting wet is part of the fun.
When I’m not conducting the orchestra, I’d rather…
- …be playing the viola.