Joanne Brackeen

"I want my students to achieve their musical goals and aspirations, and enjoy themselves in the process."

"I began my career by working with jazz masters (Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, and Freddy Hubbard). I then formed my own bands and have performed worldwide in 46 countries."

"I always ask my students who their favorite piano players are and what their goals are. The school has goals for them, too, but almost everyone has some personal goals. Use the visualization of what's inside you, and let that bloom. That provides everything. When you play the music, you're playing the life you live. When you're living, just emphasize all the things you really want to be or enjoy being. Life expands every day. If you let it, music does the same thing."

"I love all musical settings equally, whether it is solo, trio, quartet, etc. If I play too much of one combination, I start wanting to do another. I like the intricacy and intimacy of a small group more than a big band because there is more room for spontaneous creativity. Right now, that's my preference, but who knows? It might change."

"What's fun about teaching at Berklee is that the curriculum is very organized and there is a new wave of students coming through who are at a high level in at least one area of their playing. You just have to fill in a little of this and that. I feel really open as a teacher. Some students know certain things, but they don't know how they know them."