Jo’s life long passion for ballet started with dancing classes at 3 years old. From 9 -13 years, she trained at Elmhurst Ballet School and on leaving, attended the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, then situated at the Mercury theatre in Notting Hill Gate, where Angela Ellis (Madame Rambert’s daughter)  was principal. Jo gained a variety of professional experience as a student – from dancing on the set of Julius Caesar at Pinewood Studios to performing in the Bartered Bride with the Welsh National Opera at Sadler’s Wells. On graduating at 18 years old Jo started her professional career in Germany, in the Lubeck Stadtstheatre and then moving on to the Hanover Staatstheatre. Jo danced in a varied repertoire of traditional ballets, operas, operettas and musicals. She was in the corps de ballet with many solo opportunities such as the Spanish dancer in Nutcracker, the sister in Prodigal Son, the opera dancer in Rosenkavalier.

When Jo returned to England in 1982 she re-trained on the Professional Dancer’s Teaching Course at the Royal Academy of Dancing. On completion, Jo went directly to the Hammond School in Chester, teaching RAD Grades and Vocational Graded examinations, also acting as ballet mistress for the end of year performances. During the 2 years in Chester, Jo attended the Cecchetti Summer School and found her heart returning to her training at Rambert and decided to learn and become involved with the Cecchetti method. To pursue this aim, Jo returned to London.

Whilst taking classes and studying with Nesta Brooking and Richard Glasstone, Jo taught on a freelance basis at Laban and was then offered a teaching position at Laine Theatre Arts. Shortly after joining, Richard Glasstone was appointed Head of Ballet for whom Jo acted as deputy in his absence. Jo continued her study of the Cecchetti method and taught the Cecchetti Vocational Examinations and the Teaching Associates alongside the ISTD Vocational and Grade Examinations,  plus the RAD Advanced syllabus. On occasion, Jo taught the Saturday classes at the Cecchetti centre and was a regular guest teacher for the Cecchetti Scholars. Jo was invited to give a lecture demonstration at the ISTD Annual Congress on developing the qualities of the Cecchetti method in children. During these years Jo gained her Cecchetti Licentiate Certificate and Advanced Examination, and also taught on dance faculties for Easter and Summer courses including Laine Theatre Arts and Arts Educational, Tring.

After an extended sabbatical to concentrate on family life, Jo took a position at the Diana Vere School of Ballet in 2001 - 2009, teaching non-syllabus classes for 3 – 17 year old pupils. Jo introduced to the school a successful adult beginners ballet class and a stage class with performance opportunities, for invited students.

In September 2005 Jo commenced teaching on the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) at Swindon Dance as a ballet tutor for the Youth Dance Academy,  including choreographing for their end of year performances. Jo has also taught guest classes for the CATs at The Place.  In August 2008 Jo taught on the Summer Intensives at The Place and over the last year freelance teaching has included - at the British Ballet Organisation for their Teacher's Course and the Junior Scholars - as cover at The Place for Adult Evening Classes - and taken a couple of company classes for Les Ballets Trockerdero de Monte Carlo.  Jo recently co-adjudicated the Cecchetti Southern Area Awards.