Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Tress.
Hi Joanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For the past 30 years, I struggled to find a way to perform regularly as a singer, songwriter, and actress while raising my children and making a living. Complications from divorce, the death of my parents, frequent moving between three states, unemployment, and homelessness made a lifestyle as a creative artist seem impossible for me. I enjoyed cool gigs here and there over the years, including community theater productions and singing in the opening act for the 1970s pop group Air Supply in 2005, but I always felt the chronic nagging pain of living a life of compromise and artistic frustration.
My situation changed when my children grew up and I married a loving, like-minded, and like-hearted man who supported me in starting a business as a performing artist who also facilitates the creative dreams of others. Matt was a positive rapper, dancer, and DJ during his youth and he too felt that life got in the way and left a void inside him that yearned to be filled by sharing his gifts with others. We got married six weeks before the Covid-19 shutdown, lost our jobs, and started a new life together where we were determined to enjoy the second half of life intentionally and unapologetically.
We started a community of aspiring artists who want help finding a path to the stage or screen. We call it Mattanna (Matthew + Joanna), and our events include live shows and online immersive experiences where we liberate the performing artist inside by boosting energy, getting creative juices flowing, and collaborating about how to make ideas come to life.
My journey includes personal and professional development coaching and networking with amazing people, which resulted in me creating a one-woman musical theater piece that debuted at Timucua Arts Foundation on March 12th of this year, Now the gigs are lining up and I have a mindset tools and resources to help others achieve their goals as performing artists.
Matt and I both turn 51 this year, so our specialty is helping mature adults overcome obstacles to fulfilling their performing arts dreams so they can enjoy more joy and satisfaction in every aspect of life by being their authentic creative, and artistic selves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many service businesses based on relationship-building, it’s sometimes challenging to find our niche target market of people who want to be more active in their chosen art form and are looking for support. Marketing experts always ask “What problem do you solve?” or “What pain are your prospective clients experiencing?” Many adults ignore the inner voice that wants to be heard because they don’t know how to be that vibrant person full of promise anymore.
When we’ve been conditioned by society and the demands of the workplace to suppress our heart’s desires in the name of progress or maturity, we can become numb inside and out of touch with what we really want in life. Many people have hidden their interests in creative expression under layers of responsibilities and obligations, so they talk about encouraging their children or grandchildren to be involved in the performing arts but they don’t feel it’s for them now that they’re older and busier.
It’s a shame to hear people that I know personally tell me they’re behind the scenes now and I can hear the resignation in their voices that tells me they’ve given up because life is hard, so there’s no time or energy left to do the cool artistic things they enjoyed when they were younger. The key to success is to attract people to you by just being yourself. The adage “Build it and they will come” has proven to be true. We’re slowly but surely getting more people to buy tickets to our events and recommend us to their friends.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our two-hour event called the Five-Dimensional Performing Arts Experience, is the perfect solution for busy people who feel they have no time to get into “Creative Mode” and get into the head- and heart-space to feel like singing, dancing, acting, playing an instrument, or any other form of creative expression. They can carve out that time, let their hair down and feel free, then go back to life as usual, but now they’ll have some extra pep in their step, a sparkle in their eye, and a little more charisma and flair.
Every experience has features that involve our five main senses of sight, taste, hearing, touch, and smell, but they also involve the six higher faculties of intuition, perception, imagination, memory, reason, and will. It’s interactive and allows everyone to participate to whatever extent they’re comfortable. It’s a “play shop,” not a “workshop” because we keep the atmosphere fun and relaxed.
We have a unique five-step system to develop ideas called S.T.A.R.T. personalized VIP consultations that result in an action plan; and a six-week program that creates a specific result such as an art piece, a showcase, an audition, or participating in an event. Everything we do is tailored and customized for the people in front of us, so it’s different every time.
What does success mean to you?
It’s taking care of yourself and making a positive difference in others by doing what you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattanna.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/joannatress?igshid=ZmZhODViOGI=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tress.joanna/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-tress-mattanna5dx/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/joannatress
