Oct 19 2007
About Joanna Scudero
Joanna Scudero is a mother of two wonderful, grown boys, a performing songwriter, a formal student and a person who is determined to inspire others to greater heights. Joanna is a former ballet dancer and teacher, and more recently, technical writer.
Legally still known as Joanna Katzen, Joanna has had what some might call an “interesting” life. Throughout the years, she has endured several situations, any of which may have completely destroyed her. Some of these include:
- Physical and emotional abuse as a child
- Homelessness
- A severely abusive marriage
- Divorce
- Cancer
- Another bad marriage
- Another divorce
- After finding the love of her life, losing him to cancer
Each time, she picked up and started over. Sometimes blindly, but each time knowing that she had to learn, to progress, to improve her life. It is a journey of increasing awareness and purpose. The most recent tragedy, the long illness and subsequent death of her husband, Ray Scudero, has proved the most life-changing of all. During his long battle with brain cancer, Joanna stayed by his side, tending to him night and day, sleeping in a chair next to his bed during his hospital stays, walking off the pain and stiffness in the morning. This was a time of introspection–a time to think, to ask why, and to search. After his death, her severe grief sharpened her need to understand and to find her purpose in life. The result is that, this time, the starting over is mindful, it has purpose, a purpose set by Joanna herself. This is her journey, and you are invited to join. “It is my greatest hope that my story will provide encouragement to those who have suffered setbacks, large or small. That by reading my blog, they will be empowered to find their purpose in life and the courage to start over.”
In July of 2006, Joanna was accepted to the prestigious Israeli music school, The Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Studies began on October 29th, 2006. Joanna’s purpose in life is to touch others with her music and inspire them to greater happiness, prosperity and achievement through her own life story.
UPDATE: As of January 31, 2010, Joanna has officially been accepted to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA (USA). If funding can be obtained, she will begin her studies there in the fall of 2010.
Joanna, I am very please to meet you. I’ve had a life time of similar challenges, so I can appreciate the severity of what you have overcome.
After two horrible failed marriages, I either learned to make better choices or just got lucky. My beloved husband died of cancer after a long struggle in 2005. In the past couple years I’ve begun life anew, but very differently than in the past.
Your story is an inspiration. Best wishes on your journey to Boston and the extraordinary Berklee College.
Hi Joan,
And so nice to meet you!
I’m so sorry that you had to endure all that. But how blessed we both are for having had the time that we did with our soul mates, no matter how short it was. Most people never get even that.
Your husband passed the same year that mine did. Now it’s going on 5 years, can you believe it?
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your comment, and to wish you the best life ever filled with blessings, love, health, happiness, prosperity, and a lot of Cheryl Wheeler music! And I hope you’ll stop by the blog from time to time.
Joanna