A West Ashley musician’s journey to opening a studio space
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
I was out of my usual West Ashley rambling territory, walking through Charleston Place Hotel a few years ago when I paused along with other visitors to enjoy the most beautiful piano music in the lobby.
Jo Kokri-Bhatt was at the piano in her role as house pianist at that time, playing 4-5 days a week.
I soon learned that she is another exceptional individual we can claim as our own for West Ashley, and that always makes me happy. If you sense a distant soundtrack as you go about your daily activities, it may be because not only is she a gifted musician and singer herself, but Jo has been sharing her gifts as a teacher through Homeworks Studio since 2010, inspiring musicians and spreading the joy of music in Charleston.
Her family wasn’t particularly musical, but as many families do, they arranged for piano lessons. Jo decided firmly at the age of six that she was going to be a professional pianist. I hid a smile as she described her parents nudging her towards a more practical career, since I might have done the same with my kids. Luckily for us, she loved music more than anything, and stayed the course.
Growing up in Spartanburg, she was in school bands, orchestra and regularly won musical awards. Jo studied music and business at University of South Carolina and was immediately recruited by Steinway to use her gifts to sell pianos. She moved to Charleston in 2016. You’ve probably heard her play at weddings, corporate and private events, churches or regularly at the Hall’s Sunday Gospel Brunch. She has electronic equipment on hand to DJ events.
Jo’s personal tastes are varied. She enjoys Joan Baez, Stevie Nicks, select Rap and Country and from Beethoven to electronic music.
Jo is deeply connected to the Lowcountry community. She had lived and worked for a while on a farm, learning organic farming and now supports the Green Heart Project Community Garden. She is involved with Waves 4 Women – Surf Therapy, the Sisters in Song networking group inspiring and connecting women in music, and Quest in Recovery. When I walked down the West Ashley Greenway to see her, she had already been active for hours walking the bridge as part of a support group.
Jo, or Ms. Jo as she is often called by her students, has been welcoming aspiring musicians between the ages of 5 to 95 inside her home for many years. One of her favorite things now is teaching adults. She explained that while a child might be exploring a new hobby or encouraged by parents to broaden their horizons, an adult comes motivated and excited to learn. Along with voice, piano and clarinet, she can get students started on a variety of instruments, give support with reading music and performing, and works with other musicians who specialize in different instruments.
“I am grateful for having inspiring music teachers throughout my life who were outstanding in every way. I want to do that for my students.” Students come and go through the year according to school schedules and recitals are held in the fall and spring.
Because Jo is a performer herself, she is able to support students through the stress of performance anxiety. She enjoys the dual world of musician and teacher. “I believe music should be joy based and I hope to help students reach inside, find out and celebrate who they are and what they are capable of.”
This month, she welcomes progress and her long-time dream of adding studio space in her backyard. As we visited, contractors were busily preparing the space.
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Contact me with suggestions for upcoming topics at westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
