It was said by Sigmund Freud many years ago that “we are all brought
                        to this world for a reason and once we find our reason for being, we
                        find peace for our soul”.  Well, it might be stretching it a bit to say
                       Joanne Brady was born for dancing, but then again it might not!
                       One thing is for sure, she was born to teach!

Joanne Brady never had the figure for tutus and as a ten year old growing up in Delaware, never liked ballet.  Her favorites were jazz and tap.  She certainly had no idea she would become a noted Line Dance choreographer and instructor.  Joanne has been nominated many times for prestigious awards in the dance community and has won several. 

“My life has changed beyond my wildest dreams”, said Joanne in a Line dancer Magazine interview.  “I have toured Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, Hawaii and teach throughout the United States.  I have toured with Ms. Scooter Lee on many occasions and she has helped open many doors for me.”

Line dancing is a million miles away from her previous jobs; however, not the ‘teaching’ aspect of it.  Joanne taught Special Education to handicapped and disabled children for sixteen years as well as being involved with the Delaware Special Olympics for over 10 years.  Joanne is also an accomplished musician who plays several instruments and at one point in her life, gave private instrumental lessons to children.

As parents will know, getting children out of the house in the morning on time is a nightmare.  After leaving her classroom position, Joanne moved into an administrative secretarial position in the school district’s transportation department.  She had the onerous task of coordinating some 14,000 student’s bus routes to and from school.  She retired from the state of Delaware in August 1999 after 28 years of service.

Joanne has choreographed more than 20 dances, many of which have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers around the world.  But she is best known as a “teacher”.  She will be the first to admit that she enjoys and thrives on teaching much more than choreographing.  She enjoys giving beginners and seniors the benefit of her knowledge and her philosophy is very simple….She believes that line dancing should, ultimately  be  a FUN leisure activity!  “If it becomes to intense, some people drift away and find other leisure activities to do” she wisely observes.  “If it becomes too serious it frightens off the beginner; the very people who will keep the dance community alive.”

When the opportunity to travel and work with individuals like Jo Thompson and Scooter Lee came along, Joanne was worried about her husband’s reaction to her being away from home; however, he was and still is very supportive.  “I’ve been married to Bob for 25 years and still adore him……he’s simply the BEST!  He’s not a dancer but travels with me when he can.  We didn’t have any children buy I have a 15 year old nephew and a 13 year old niece that I adore and sometimes dote on like they were my own.”

Joanne Brady makes a positive impression on everyone she meets.  Her teaching is always full of humor and she is never too busy to talk and spend time with the dancers.  When Scooter Lee first met Joanne she told her “Joanne, you possess a great gift which you have no idea you have”.

Prophetic Words Indeed!

Line dancers who have had the good fortune to meet and learn with Joanne Brady know that Scooter was right!