ABOUT THE FOUNDER & CEO
Background
Mrs. Joan Phillips-Bennett, born December 16, 1987 discovered
her love for entertaining at a tender age. Her talent
for memorizing lyrics and musical arrangements was quickly
identified and encouraged. At the age of eight, Joan began
writing her own songs - the first of which was gospel. However
since then she has generated diverse material. By age 12,
Joan started choreographing dances for the church’s dance
ministry as well as class party presentations at the Merl
Grove High School. In 2000, Joan, along with two other schoolmates,
formed the school’s first band which earned a spot
in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)
Music festival where they received a bronze medal for the
school. She was also a part of the school’s choir and represented
the school at the Spanish Festival winning a gold
medal for the song and dance categories. In 2005 she auditioned
for a General Arts Degree, a joint degree between the
University of the West Indies and the Edna Manley College
and was successful but later decided to enrol at the School
of Music full time.
Formal
Training
Joan nurtured her talent and developed into a true performer
with a promising future and has delivered memorable performances
within and outside the walls of the Visual
and Performing Arts (EMC). This dynamic and jovial individual
has remarkable management and organizational skills
and was gunning to establish her own business. She was able to
complete an Associate of Science Degree from the University
College of the Caribbean simultaneously during her first two years at
the EMC. She was also the Valedictorian for the 2009
graduating class of EMC as a student of the School of Music in
Jazz and Popular Music Studies in contemporary voice
with electives in Time Based Media, Acting, Play-writing and
Event Planning. Miss
Phillips’ entry to EMC’s School of Music signaled the
beginning of a rewarding experience that has resulted in
academic excellence, and professional development. Her dedication
to academia, personal and social development has been
rewarded through scholarships, grants and numerous awards,
including the Carreras Limited scholarship, the
Grace Kennedy grant, and the Principals’ award for outstanding
academic performance and involvement just to name a
few.
Her
performing capabilities were formed from her wealth of
experiences garnered from on stage appearances and organizing
many events since 2008. These include performances at:
Annual
Cancer Society Fundraiser at the Police Officer’s Club, Routes
to Roots, Business
House Association Events, Arm
Chair Rebel-ution at the Philip Sherlock Centre, Hotels including (Terra Nova, Four seasons, Pegasus and Whyndam Hotels). Others
included performances at the National Indoor Sports Centre, various schools and universities.
Hidden Talents and Experience
In addition to her musical journey, she has been ministering in dance for over nine years, both solo as well as with the Troop of David Liturgical Dance Ministry from the Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church. They ministered in various churches as well as overseas at Sabrina McKenzie’s Annual Dance Conference “Dancing Preachers International”. Miss Phillips is also very involved at the community level. She is the Chairperson for the Youth Activities Core, and choreographer of the Junior & Young Adult Dance Ministry at Chapel of Christ AME Church, and has taught music at the Martha’s Children’s Home as well as the Jamaica National Children’s Home.
In addition to her musical journey, she has been ministering in dance for over nine years, both solo as well as with the Troop of David Liturgical Dance Ministry from the Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church. They ministered in various churches as well as overseas at Sabrina McKenzie’s Annual Dance Conference “Dancing Preachers International”. Miss Phillips is also very involved at the community level. She is the Chairperson for the Youth Activities Core, and choreographer of the Junior & Young Adult Dance Ministry at Chapel of Christ AME Church, and has taught music at the Martha’s Children’s Home as well as the Jamaica National Children’s Home.
After
finishing her Bachelor of Music in Jazz & Popular Music
Studies, Ms. Phillips joined the production team of the hit
television program Mission Catwalk first
as a production
assistant, where she was later promoted two weeks to the
post of Production Coordinator. Ms. Phillips joined the
Five-Star Sandals Resort Chain as an Entertainment Coordinator
at the Sandals Whitehouse European Village& Spa
but resigned in order to finish her studies. Ms. Phillips finished her MBA in International Management and Marketing, as well as her MEd in Special Education and continues to teach and motivate young children (of varying abilities) in the Arts.
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