Josephine Peach was born in Harrogate and, after graduating with an Hons. B.Mus from the University of Wales in Cardiff, returned to Yorkshire as the first post-graduate music student here at the University of York. She has taught at the Universities of York, Leeds and Hull, and developed her love for adult education in Leeds College of Music and then through many years with the WEA. She has been an Associate Lecturer for the Open University since 1978.
Jo has a large piano teaching practice in York with students of all ages – the teaching of fluent sight-reading being a serious part of her work. She has many adult students – they together form her York Piano Circle which holds meetings, an annual charity concert, and generally gives pianists the chance to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest. Following her parents’ work she has been a professional accompanist since the age of sixteen, and coaches and adjudicates many young performers around the country as well as performing herself. She is currently preparing for lecture recitals on Mozart and his world and, with two colleagues, a CD on that theme for the York Civic Trust. Her own piano CD will come out later in the year. She is married to Robin Peach, a classicist with an enviable singing voice and monumental knowledge of music.