Joyce Lyons, (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) is part singer, actress and comedian. Reared in Gaithersburg, Maryland, she found her way to Colorado Women’s College where she studied with one Durango’s favorite musicians, Tom MacCluseky. After college, Joyce headed to New York City, where she trod the streets for work; a little waitressing (very little), a little office work (more than a very little), a lot of singing and acting to boot. Joyce worked with some of New York’s finest musicians, from the exquisite writings of Dick Lieb, to the spellbinding arrangements of Lee Musiker and the auspicious and ever playful lyrics of bass accompanist Jay Leonhart. A proponent of the “lyric is everything,” Joyce began her master class at Fort Lewis College several years ago at the suggestion of Mr. MacCluskey. “There is no greater joy than when a student ‘gets it!’ “When they have connected to something deep inside and bring it forth in their performance.” Leaving in NYC in late 2009, Joyce has continued her musical/theatrical journey to the upper midwest of Minnesota, where she has developed a loyal following; performing at the renown “Dakota Jazz Club,” the intimate “Three Crows (where she packs the place) and is a new participant in the annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival.
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