Joanna Ezrin

Joanna Ezrin-Schauer was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she studied with the renowned composer, teacher and conductor Clifford Poole. She also played the cello and harp in local orchestras. After receiving her ARCT degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music, she completed annual summer studies at the Juilliard School, and received her Bachelor of Music in Performance Degree from the University of Toronto, followed by a graduate studies at the Höchschule für Musik in Stuttgart, Germany. She trained under the respected teacher Sara Compinsky and participated in worldwide piano competitions representing Canada, including the prestigious Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition.

Joanna, who retains her Canadian citizenship, moved to the United States in the 1980’s, settling in Los Angeles to study jazz, pop, and voice, and to pursue a career in music. She recorded on platinum albums and worked extensively in television, films, and commercials while performing live throughout Canada, Europe and the United States, developing a loyal fan base here in Los Angeles. Following the birth of her second child, Joanna “semi-retired” from the long, odd and stressful hours of commercial and studio work, and devoted herself to full time teaching, studying pedagogy under the tutelage of the highly regarded Frances Robyn.

Joanna, a state accredited music teacher, is a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, and is past president of the San Fernando West Valley branch of the MTAC. She is the chair of the annual Contemporary Festival, the branch Composer’s Today program, the Sight Reading Festival, and the Improvisation Program. She also teaches AP Music Theory, and prepares student’s college application recital programs for music major auditions. She is also a state certified adjudicator, judging Certificate of Merit examinations, music festivals and competitions throughout the Southern California region. Joanna is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, American College of Musicians, American Federation of Musicians Union Local 47, AFTRA, and is a guest lecturer at California State University Northridge, teaching pedagogy methods. She is the principal pianist with the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra, and remains active in studio work, most recently working on the double Golden Globe winning series Transparent at Paramount Studios.