Joy trained in Jazz Voice at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide from 1999 – 2001, studying with Connaitre Miller and singing as a member of Adelaide University Jazz Vocal Ensembles 'Kind of Blue' and 'The Adelaide Connection'.
Her singing experience started long before this, however, as a member of internationally acclaimed choir Young Adelaide Voices (formerly Adelaide Girls Choir), under the direction of Deborah Munro, of which she was Head Chorister in 2000, and toured to Europe and the United States. Joy was also a founding member of Pure Harmony, an a cappella quartet started at Marryatville High School, with fellow Idea of North singers Sally Cameron and Naomi Crellin. The group produced a self-funded album in 1997 and performed regularly around South Australia over a 10 year period. Following her Jazz Vocal studies, Joy went on to work as the full time Music Director at a large city church, Holy Trinity Adelaide, before returning to the University of Adelaide to complete a Bachelor of Music Education in 2006.
Since graduating, Joy has worked as a High School music teacher in the Clare Valley, where she worked hard to successfully build up a singing and choral program, and extensively as a singing teacher and choral trainer in many schools around Adelaide.
Joy is thrilled to be stepping back into the world of performance, as she fills the alto position in The Idea of North for the remainder of 2011 while the group's full time alto, Naomi Crellin, is on maternity leave.
Name/Nickname/Anagram of your name/Anything strange about your name? Name: Joy Hague. Nicknames: Joysie, Joybells, Joslin, Babs, Rene (and NO MY FULL NAME IS NOT JOYRENE!)
How did you get into singing? Who or what inspired you to sing? Music was always a major part of my home life growing up, with music of all styles and genres playing constantly, and regular trips to concerts and to see musical theatre/ballet/opera. All us kids were also encouraged to sing/play an instrument, of which many were tried, but for me it was singing that stuck. I can't remember a time when I didn't sing, to be honest! My biggest influence was probably my Dad, who was a choral scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge and still sings beautifully to this day. I think he passed on his love of song to me and I'm forever grateful. Other major influences on my singing were my involvement in the Adelaide Girls Choir, under the inspiring musical direction of Deb Munro; Jo Lawry and Connaitre Miller at the Elder School of Music, during my years studying at university in Jazz voice and finally Nicky Chiswell, an Australian singer/songwriter whose music and voice always reached straight into my soul.
If you weren't a singer in The Idea of North, what would you be doing? Teaching in high school or travelling.
Most embarrassing moment on stage? Blurting out a confession of love to my fellow 'Pure Harmony' singers midst introducing the song 'The Rose' to a packed audience.
How do you prepare for a gig? Drink a bucket load of water and take a long hot bath.
Top 5 favourite singers Rickie Lee Jones, Kurt Elling, Lior, Sara Bareilles, Nicky Chiswell
Top 5 favourite bands The Waifs, Crowded House, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Incognito, Mumford and Sons
Top 5 favourite albums 'Pirates' – Rickie Lee Jones, 'Grace' - Jeff Buckley, 'The Messenger' – Kurt Elling, 'Autumn Flow' - Lior, 'Call of the Search' – Katie Melua
Top 5 favourite vocal groups Take 6, Naturally 7, IKON, Manhattan Transfer, Lambert, Hendrick & Ross
If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, it would be? Do French macaroons count as a cuisine?! If not - I'd settle for Italian!
What were you like in High School? Always busy! I loved high school and was involved in everything I could be from sport through to music. I think my record was doing 15 extra-curricular activities in one year.
What is your ideal holiday (including what you wouldn't like to happen or do)? An overseas trip to either New York or London, seeing musicals, browsing local markets, finding good coffee, shopping, discovering new things, catching up with old friends.
Who would play you as the starring role in the movie of your life? Drew Barrymore. I think she captures the craziness that I seem to possess. People keep telling me I look like Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, but I'm not sure she has gotten into acting yet!