*Reach For the Stars composed by Thomas Schonberg and lyrics by Robert Vicencio. CD Single is available to buy at Dress Circle Shop on Monmouth St. Covent Garden, London. All profits go to Sun and Moon Home For Children in Manila, Philippines founded by Claude Michel Schonberg. For more information visit, www.joampil.com
*Your Love is Where I'll Follow composed by Thomas Schonberg and lyrics by Paolo Bustamante
*Built On A Dream composed by Thomas Schonberg and lyrics by Paolo Bustamante guitar solo by Dougal Irvine
Joanna Ampil, who comes from Manila, Philippines, started singing at the
tender age of six. At seventeen, she began her acting career when she was chosen to play the lead role of KIM in the London production of MISS SAIGON, thus making her West End debut.
She was invited by Sir Cameron Mackintosh to perform the same role in the Australian Premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, where she received rave reviews and also earned her and Australian ‘MO’ Award nomination for Best Female Musical Theatre Performer. She came back to London in 1996 and was handpicked by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to play the female lead role of MARY MAGDALENE in his new production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Lyceum Theatre - a first for Filipino artists. Again, her performances as Mary scored great personal triumph and high critical acclaim. In 1998 - 1999, she resumed the role of KIM at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for MISS SAIGON’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY; played PRINCESS JASMIN in ALADDIN at the Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage; EPONINE in LES MISERABLES at the Palace Theatre in 2000; reprised the role of KIM, this time, opening the UK and IRELAND TOUR of MISS SAIGON. In July of 2003, she went back to LES MISERABLES, only this time to tackle the role of FANTINE following the move to the Queen’s Theatre in April 2004. In 2005, she played the role of SHIELA FRANKLIN in the successful run of the updated version of HAIR at the Gate Theatre in London; moved to Dublin, Ireland to play the part of the PRINCESS in Gaeity Theatre’s lavish production of Aladdin and went straight to playing THE INGENUE, JUNE in the London Premiere of Musical of Musicals in 2006. In the same year, she toured Europe with the musical RENT as MIMI and did the London opening of ISING playing HEIDI at the Union Theatre.
Joanna played ELIZA DOOLITTLE in THE TRIBUTE TO MY FAIR LADY / MISS SAIGON’S 2282ND PERFORMANCE at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Played EPONINE in a concert version of LES MISERABLES in 2001 at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. Also participated in SHOWTIME AT THE STADIUM in Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium in 2001. Sang with JASON ROBERT BROWN in a series of intimate concerts at the New Players Theatre in London. In September 2004, alongside West End artists, accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Joanna starred in the World Premiere Concert ONE DAY MORE, put together by Boublil and Schonberg to celebrate their work at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham. In November 2004, she had the privilege to play the role of FANTINE in a special private concert of LES MISERABLES in front of Her Majesty The Queen, The Royal Family, PM Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac at Windsor Castle to commemorate the CENTENARY OF THE ENTENTE CORDIALE betweeen France and England, televised on BBC for a documentary entitled A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WINDSOR CASTLE. She appeared in a TV Documentary for Discovery Channel in America, and was later on broadcast globally, called THE MUMMY AUTOPSY. Joanna can also be seen in 100 Greatest Musicals, and appeared as Michelle Wong in the first series of BBC 2’s BROKEN NEWS.
Aside from theatre, Joanna has appeared in numerous concerts, workshops, radio and television programmes globally.
In 1999, she also became a member of a gospel band called UNITED COLOURS OF SOUND, which was featured in a BBC documentary called THE QUEST.
She is honoured to have been chosen to sing the role of KIM in THE COMPLETE INTERNATIONAL SYMPHONIC RECORDING of MISS SAIGON. Also, she recorded the role of MARY MAGDALENE in Lord Lloyd Webber’s NEW RECORDING OF JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and one of the leads in STARS OF THE MUSICALS album. Similar to her involvement in concerts, she has guest appeared in recordings of several international artists.
Joanna released her first single entitled REACH FOR THE STARS in benefit of SUN AND MOON HOME FOR CHILDREN, an orphanage based in Manila.
She is currently working on her first solo album under JAY records.
Hi Jo, I saw you in "Les Miserables" again on Wednesday and my wife and I really enjoyed it. I bought your CD too and your beautiful voice is perfect for your choice of songs. I would love to see you in "Phantom" next! All the Best, John xxx
Hi Joanna, thanks for the add! Would offer to do a duet with you but I can't sing, suppose i could play the drums for you instead?! Greetings from 'up north' ! JW
Hi Joanna. Thanks for inviting me. What a jazzfeeling, what a wonderful voice. And so i'll say, welcome on my page, keep swinging and loveliest greetings from Berlin...Herbert
