Joanna Shegera

A STAR IS BORN

Words and accolades are often misused, especially these days. Sometimes however they are completely correct and so it proves to be when describing Ukrainian Singer,songwriter Joanna Shegera as a star. She is indeed something a little bit special in many ways.Born in Ternopol, West Ukraine the only child of Car Engineer Vitaly Shegera and Singer, TV presenter and teacher Luba Shegera, Joanna Shegera came from creative beginnings. Her mother was a well-known singer in her region and many expected her to follow in her footsteps and have the same talent. Eventually it would prove to be so, but not before fate played a hand in the game. Life is never straightforward and it can deal some hard cards and so it proved for Joanna as at the age of 8 she was torn from all she knew and left to stay with her Grandparents in a completely different part of Ternopol. Her mother had to flee the country and came to England. Joanna’s life was suddenly turned upside down.Her Grandmother knowing the talent and reputation of Joanna’s mother pushed her too quickly to audition and perform. This lead to Joanna breaking down at the crucial audition, running away crying. She was written off as not having her mother’s talent and left emotionally scared and afraid to sing for many years. But like any great diamond true talent cannot remain hidden for too long. Joanna found the confidence to sing once again and entered several auditions and singing events and in each one she shone like the star she always was. She went on to study at the Performing Arts University in Ternopol, but all the while her heart was heavy because she missed her mother. Her one great wish was to be reunited with her mother from whom she was torn away at such a young age. Although staying with her grandparents she felt very much alone and it was her music that got her through these hardtimes, violent boyfriends, loneliness and depression. At the age of 18 her prayers were answered as her mum was able to send for her to come to England. At the Age of 19 Joanna and her mother where finally united again in London. She recorded her first full album at 22 and has not looked back since then as she progresses on her path to stardom. Joanna has a wonderful enigmatic voice shades of Randy Crawford even Whitney Houston come to mind when you hear her sing all this wrapped up with her inherent Ukrainian and Eastern European flavour. She is totally unique.