Thank you Joanna for teaching me to read music! You made it so easy, and now I can do so much!
Emma, Gardner, MA
Oh, Joanna! The song you wrote for my mother's 90th birthday is perfect, the whole family loved it! And your voice! OMGoodness, I'm in tears, it is just so beautiful. Thank you so much. We will cherish it always.
Linda M., Santa Monica, CA
Joanna was very attentive to and responsive to my needs within the time frames agreed upon. She transcribed from basic recordings, created vocal harmonies and then supplied everything we needed to create a wonderful evening of music. Joanna was great to work with.
Mitchel M., NJ
Joanna, I GOT IN! I was accepted to Berklee College of Music! Your coaching was perfect. Thank you so much! I learned so much from our time together I can not think of a better person to study with.
Heliegh K., Hubbardston, MA
Hi Joanna!
I just wanted to let you know that you absolutely nailed it with this song!! Kim was so surprised and LOVED the song! She thought it was the sweetest gift and I just want to thank you for creating this gift that I could give to her on our anniversary. She thought it was so special and it was amazing to see the look on her face. Thank you so much for providing me with your creativity, art and talent to create a truly special gift. Great job!!
Christopher U., Nashoba Valley, MA
My husband gave me a vocal-harmony workshop for myself and some friends as a birthday present. We held the workshops in our living room. WOW! What a great thing to do! We enjoyed it so much, and now we can help each other to create and sing beautiful harmonies and backgrounds. One of the best things we've ever done. Joanna is a delight.
Jessie, Cambridge, MA
I originally hired Joanna to transcribe some of my songs. There was one in particular that needed harmonies, so I had her arrange them. They were so well done that I asked her to arrange instrumentals for the piece as well. She eventually handled the entire production including budgeting, finding, auditioning, hiring and coordinating musicians and a recording facility and engineer. I found the entire process to be exhilarating, and I loved working with Joanna. Plus, the result was stunning.
Tim S., Cambridge, MA
I knew absolutely nothing about reading music or playing an instrument before taking guitar lessons with Joanna. Now, I can read music, play guitar, transpose and easily learn songs. I can even sing! My lessons with Joanna are always interesting, challenging, and fun and I even understand basic music theory. Heck, I've even written a couple of songs!
Dan G., Townsend, MA
I took private piano lessons with Joanna. As someone who disliked piano lessons 30 years ago, I was concerned about finding a method that would work for me as an adult. Her method is holistic and incorporates music theory and standard reading and rhythm exercises in an accessible way. She encouraged recording each lesson, which is a great way to preserve the lesson and be able to go back to it during the week. Even though I have a non-traditional music background, I felt comfortable asking questions about both simple and complex concepts. Joanna is supportive, encouraging, reliable and able to explain things in ways that are meaningful and easily understood. She is an excellent teacher and I recommend her without hesitation.
Jean C., Cambridge, MA
I have had the pleasure of working with Joanna Katzen — and benefiting from her abundant knowledge and wisdom in both music and life — for over a decade, including several years when she directed our musical group, Et Al. Over the years I have been impressed not only by the depth and breadth of her musical knowledge, but also by her brilliant and original thinking.
Joanna approaches everything in life with an open mind and eagerness to learn new things, together with profound knowledge, wisdom and life experience. Blessed with a strong intuition and keen methodical skills, she has not only a strong love for children, but also a deep understanding of child psychology and development. I recommend her highly.
Rahel J., Jerusalem, Israel
Guitar lesson with Joanna
Using Joanna's transcriptions
Although I've been writing songs for almost 50 years, I never mastered the skill of translating my melodies into written music. Fortunately, Joanna has. I've been sending her songs for several years now, and Joanna has executed every single project beautifully. She is careful and precise, prompt, accessible, patient and never makes me feel like a written music dummy. I wouldn't even think of working with anyone else.
Deborah S., NC
Following a fellow playwright’s recommendation, I was able to coordinate with Joanna Katzen on the musical transcriptions for twelve songs in my musical Beyond the Blues. Joanna was extremely competent, professional, and timely in her involvement with my project. Her transcriptions made it easy for my band members and actors to perform their parts. I highly recommend her and will consider her for all future transcriptions.
Ralph T,, musician and playwright, Winthrop, MA