Dr Joanna Drimatis is a highly-respected champion of Australian music and contemporary classical music – contributing comprehensively through her output as a conductor, performer, musical director, researcher and educator.

Joanna is currently the Music Director/Chief Conductor of the Beecroft Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the NSW Doctors’ Orchestra in Sydney. Joanna has guest conducted orchestras in Australia and NZ and 2022-24, enjoyed conducting productions for the young Sydney-based opera companies The Cooperative and Gente Gente Productions. In past positions as Music Director of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra/NZ and Conductor for the Adelaide Youth Orchestra association, Joanna initiated numerous collaborations and commissions, with select performances broadcast on NZ Concert FM and ABC Classic/Australia.

After initial studies in Music Education and Violin Performance, Joanna completed a Masters in Music from the University of Texas at Austin (Violin / Orchestral Conducting). In 2009, Joanna graduated with a PhD in Musicology investigating neglected Australian orchestral music from the mid-20th century from the University of Adelaide. As a violinist/violist Joanna has played professionally as an orchestral and chamber musician both in Australia and overseas and has been a participant in the conducting programs at Aspen Music Festival (USA) and the American Symphony League.

Joanna is currently Music Education Specialist for the Australian Music Centre. In 2020 Joanna was awarded an APRA/AMCOS Art Music Luminary award for her advocacy, programming and performance of Australian music.