Joni Fuller

Joni Fuller (3 October 1991 [http://www.littledreamsfoundation.com/new/en/worlds/musicndance/music/kid-joni.htm Little Dreams Foundation Kids] ] ) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and violinist from Lancashire.

Joni, a member of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth was also the first UK child to be accepted (as a songwriter) into Phil Collins’ Geneva-based "Little Dreams Foundation". She is a classically-trained musician and has achieved distinctions at violin Grade 7 and piano Grade 6.

Joni persuaded her non-musical parents to buy her a violin for her 5th birthday. Aged 8, she was accepted into the Junior School at the Royal Northern College of Music. Joni receives all her classical music tuition at the RNCM (first study violin; second study piano). Joni began writing her own songs when she was 8 years old and has continued to write prolifically since then, developing a distinctive and mature songwriting style.

With the sponsorship of the Little Dreams Foundation she released her debut album "Voices" in October 2006, containing 12 of her original songs.

Performances

Joni has performed her songs extensively across Europe, developing a trade-mark solo performance style (piano and vocals). Aged 12, Joni performed at the Casino Barriere during the Montreux Jazz Festival. Other venues include: The Theatre de Vaudeville (Brussels), MIDEM (Cannes), Madinat Jumeirah (Dubai) and the Lido Theatre (Paris). Joni also opened two nights during Phil Collins' 'First Final Farewell Tour' at the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf. TV appearances on UK, Swiss and French channels have also followed.

Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005

Joni was the UK's entrant to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2005. She won the British final during a live TV show with her song 'How Does it Feel?'.

After travelling to Hasselt for the contest on November 26, she competed against singers from other countries across Europe. Joni's mature songwriting style and performance contrasted with other acts and resulted in a 14th placing. During the event, Joni was treated for severe laryngitis and only performed after a last minute decision made by doctors and event organisers. The UK have since withdrawn from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, along with other major European countries.

2007 onwards

Joni was awarded 'Le Prix du Merite Artistique 2007' at the LDF awards ceremony in Lausanne in April 2007. She was also awarded the 'Besso Memorial Prize for Pianoforte 2007' by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.Joni performed at the Olympic Stadium in Lausanne during Athletissima 2007. She also performed at the World Conference on Giftedness in August. Other 2007 performances include the Launch of the Themba Trust at the South African High Commission in London and an appearance at the French Telethon 2007. In 2008, Joni teamed up with young guitarist Tim de Graauw to develop her live sound and concentrated her live performances in the UK. She received a standing ovation following her performance at the Montrose Music Festival. As her reputation as a young artist has grown, further concert bookings have followed (Brunswick Festival, Arundel Festival). Joni has attracted industry interest but avoided a formal signing, preferring creative freedom to develop whilst being temporarily managed by her parents.

Album

Joni wrote all 12 songs for her debut album 'Voices'

Tracklist:
# Voices
# I Take a Step Away
# Sail Away
# How Does it Feel?
# Over in a Minute
# So Much to Say
# Fairy Tales
# Finding My Way
# I Guess That’s How it Goes
# Little Child
# Search Beyond the Moon
# After the Tide

References

External links

* [http://www.jonifuller.com Joni's Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jonifuller Joni's Myspace Page]