Joanna Forest is Back

Joanna Forest revives her ‘Rhythm of My Life’ column with an update on her life and news about an exciting new single.

Hi! It’s been a while. How are you all?

You might have noticed I have been missing in action since last summer. I’ve really missed you, but the ‘rhythm of my life’ took an unexpected turn last year, which forced me to take time off to concentrate on my health.

It was a scary time and brought to the forefront of my mind how important it is to have support and hope. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by brilliant people who really helped me get through what was a dark time, but, as a person who tries to focus on the positive, you’ll be pleased to know I am back, better and really excited to once again be chatting to you from the pages of my favourite magazine.

I am now in a much better place though and am so very happy to announce that I am finally back working; after many nerves and anxious anticipation I have even just got back from singing on my first cruise AND shows in nearly a year. Hoorah!

Also, I have even been back in the recording studio!

But I do want to talk about a subject really close to my heart – and that is the power of clinging on to hope in dark times. Hope, I have learnt, is what keeps us going, it’s what drives us to do the best work of our lives, it connects us as human beings, as friends, as family and in our relationships. Far too many people who I know personally have had hope taken away from them as an option, which is devastating.

Hope (and an excellent medical team) gave me the tenacity to get my health back, hope gave me the desire to be happy again, but the final troubling area I needed hope for was around my career. Would I ever sing again? Would I ever even feel like singing again? Would people want to see me sing again? Not many people knew what was going on with me but at this point I need to say a huge thank you to all the very special people in my life who helped me through such as my family and best friends.

In December I finally got back on stage in a wonderful fundraising show supporting the much missed and loved Sgt Matt Ratana who I recorded a chart topping charity single. I was petrified, worried if I could still sing. Would my surgeries even let me physically perform and use my lungs like I used to? Thankfully YES and I LOVED EVERY SECOND!

There is though a big difference between a one off charity show with a song or two and a full  “Joanna Forest” concert. Last week I was invited to perform two full shows on board a beautiful ship in and around southern Spain. I couldn’t wait to perform again but naturally I was also ever so scared of how it would feel. I am home now and massively relieved that it went so well. I loved being back in front of lovely warm audiences.

So what of the recording studio trip I mentioned earlier? Well I am delighted that my wonderful and talented friend Olga Thomas has asked me to sing the vocals on her beautiful new composition to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles. Olga has created something really special for a such a wonderful occasion. All the proceeds go to Cruse Bereavement Care and Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed recording it.

The release day is May 4th and the links to pre-order and support Cruse and the Royal Navy are below.

Download “His Noble Crown: A Coronation Gift” on iTunes

With hope at my side, I’m pleased I have found the courage to write this column, even if I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to fill you in as some of you lovely people have been asking. Now with my health back, I can’t wait to see you all again soon.

www.joannaforest.com

Twitter -@joannaforest

Instagram – @joanna forest

Facebook – joannaforestsoprano

Tune in and listen to ‘Classical Gas with Joanna Forest’ every Sunday at 2pm on Great British Radio: greatbritishradio.org

Joanna Forest

Columnist

Joanna is an Award Winning, Record Breaking, Best Selling, Official Double Classical Number 1 Soprano. Joanna shot to fame in 2017 when she broke records becoming the first independent artist to go straight to Number 1 in the Official Classical Album Charts with a debut album, "Stars Are Rising". Her 2nd album, "The Rhythm of Life", released in 2019, also shot straight to the top of the classical charts on release. Both albums received critical acclaim across TV, Radio and National Press including Album of the Week in The Sunday Mirror. Joanna entered the world of classical crossover in 2014 following a successful West End and TV career. Her first public performance as a crossover artist was in duet with Britain’s Got Talent megastar, Paul Potts, at The Palace Theatre, London who later also guest duetted with Joanna on "The Rhythm of Life" with a new arrangement of Boccelli's "Because We Believe". Further recordings included a classical Number 1 single with "The Royal Platinum Love Song", released to celebrate 70 years of marriage between The Queen and Prince Philip, a Top 10 classical christmas hit, "That is his Story" and a lead appearance on the Sir Paul McCartney backed “Choirs with Purpose” Stand Together album backed by a 600 strong choir. Jonna recently hit the No.1 spot once more in the classical chart with "By My Side' written to celebrate 60 years of the wonderful work Cruse Bereavement Care Charity. No stranger to high profile performances, Joanna has sung on the pitch at Premier League and Championship Football Grounds, on BBC's Songs of Praise performing "Ave Maria", as lead soloist at the prestigious Bedford Park Proms and York's Castle Howard Proms, theatres up and down the UK and on her own nationwide tour. As a result of Joanna's chart success she was awarded the first ever "Future Classic Women" Award in May 2019.