Joanne started dancing at the age of 4 in San Francisco with Betty Gentry and Ardith Gotthardt. After Betty and Ardith moved to Fremont, Joanne continued her training with Amy Palmer. At the age of 6 she moved to Westlake in Daly City and took lessons at the St. Francis Heights Dance and Music Guild until she graduated from Westmoor High School.  Joanne attended San Francisco State University where she continued to study in jazz, ballet, modern and afro. She received her teaching credential and BA in Liberal Studies in 1975. With a shortage of teaching jobs, she pursued her dance career and taught at the Powell Reilly Dance Studio in San Francisco.

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In 1980, after moving to Fremont, she started teaching four ballet classes at the Union City Leisure Services and the rest is history. Thirteen years later in January of 1993,  Joanne Brown Dancers opened its doors and is still going strong.

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You will find Joanne using her teaching credential and substitute teaching at Eastin Elementary School in Union City.  She taught the dance program at Pioneer, Kitiyama, and Alvarado Elementary Schools, and currently is also teaching dance at Eastin Elementary School for Kinders, 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders.  She has taught master classes in Lake Tahoe and Portland, Oregon.

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In 1998, Joanne re-joined the Union City Leisure Service,  where she coordinates their dance program.  She was responsible for choreographing the number that won the City of Union City their 1999 “All American City Award.”