Biography:

Along with Melanie Donnelly and Catherine Kinsman, Joanna launched an anthem for the planet called "We'll Find a Way" sung by Dave Carroll, Ian Sherwood, Chelsea Nisbett, Kim Wempe, Carmel Mikol and Michael Redden, along with us. Celebrated the screening of a Music Video and promos featuring all of the artists and over hundred locals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpCPKFcnhHA) on Tuesday June 15th 2010 in Halifax, N.S. All proceeds of single on i-Tunes (search Planet Atlantic) will go to environmental causes,David Suzuki, Solar Aid (U.K.) and Ecology Action Centre. Artists put together a compilation CD to benefit the environment as well, available from joannabutler@gmail.com. Made it to the finals in the David Suzuki Playlist for the Planet contest with We'll Find a Way!

At the summer songwriting workshops at Humber college, I found encouragement from Andy Kim, Rik Emmett, Damnhait Doyle. Justin Gray helped me to complete a demo with Robyn Newman lending her beautiful vocals at the Nucleus in Toronto. Won a Nashville song contest for my song "Sometimes a Daydream" and a free demo recording in Nashville.

On President Obama's first visit to Ottawa, we sang our first co-written song "Stand Together" at a Welcome Obama rally. Performed Stand Together at Toronto City Hall for the SOS of the Americas conference. Then won an honour award from the Great American Song Contest in 2009.

Now Joanna writes and performs with the newly formed trio What's in the Water (whatsinthewater.ca). Performed at the Whitby Songwiter Music Festival 2011, and will be going to perform in the Scotland Fringe Festival in summer 2011. Along with performing her own songs, Joanna is interested in pitching songs to other artists and writing for film.