Biography

Janet Beale studied flute at the Purcell (Specialist Music) School, then gained the top music scholarship to continue at Frensham Heights Public School. From there, she went on to study accordion and piano accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with honours. In fact, she plays various instruments, including the saxophone.

Although classically trained, Janet is a versatile and experienced musician, enjoying all the various, new and exciting ventures that seem to come her way.

This past year, much band work has featured, with the rustic comedy band The Plonkers Agricultural Orchestra. Janet is their accordionist and becomes ‘Janette, the Plonkers’ Plonkette’. Do take a look at their web site and gig list.

The "Not Forgotten" Association have variety show tours, regularly, in Spring and Autumn, when Janet plays piano/keyboards, to accompany the other artistes, after 'taking to the floor' to do a cabaret spot on accordion and flute.

Solo work has always been a mainstay throughout Janet’s career, with a multi-instrumental programme, performing for various organisations; not only for the aforementioned “Not Forgotten” Assn, a branch of the British Legion, working solo at military dinners, boat trips and at Royal functions – but also for ‘Variety Collective’, a professional London agency. Janet performs in theatre shows, concerts and garden parties as a solo performer and also piano accompanying their shows.

Much of Janet’s work includes concerts for The Council for Music in Hospitals. In addition to the solo programme's) she accompanies various artistes e.g. Professional Opera Singer Jenny Samuel

Recent work has also come from ‘ENSA’ who provide Professional entertainment for all!

Janet works as a solo artist for this particular company.

Janet also enjoys playing accordion with the local Squinty McGinty  Irish, Scottish and Barn Dance Band, who morph into other guises as ‘cool classics’ ensemble, or La Dolce Vita, playing Classical, Italian and French music.

The Bon Accord Parisian Jazz Trio adds a touch of refinement to any occasion. The group comprises of accordion, violin and guitar, whom, together musically, create a French atmosphere, often doing military, corporate and Manor House functions.

Teaching music privately is an area of music that Janet enjoys too, although with the varied other freelance work, this is a smaller area of her career, though achieves good ABRSM results with her few regular pupils. Teaching qualifications L.R.A.M. and performing qualification Prof. Cert (Hons) RAM.

Other events at castles and museums, too.

Also involving herself in classical recitals held at St Andrew’s Church, Medstead, with Wendy and Patrick Busby, Professional Soprano and pianist.

Playing in orchestras for shows is a regular work area for Janet, having played in four this year, so far: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, on accordion, ‘Fame’, keyboard/piano, and for Gilbert and Sullivan's ‘Gondoliers’, twice, on the flute.

Do take a look at my gig list for any upcoming shows.

I sometimes play piano and accordion with ‘Will Keel-Stockers New Arcadians Tango Band. Take a look at the band on (link) and also can be heard playing on his Elizan’s band’s latest album.

I also play accordion with the Woodsiders Barn Dance Band at times, if availability allows.

Janet enjoys accompanying other musicians and singers, too, often playing piano or accordion for violinists, cellists etc, for one thing and another, in exams, concerts etc.

Past Work.

As an accordionist, Janet is much in demand to play French and Italian music and in cabaret she has performed at various London venues including Salena Jones’ Jazz Club, Pizza on the Park at the Jermyn Street Theatre. She has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, the Wandsworth Jazz Festival, in theatres all over the UK and at The London Palladium. Janet has worked at the Fortune and the Arts Theatres in London’s West End, and has performed on most major television and radio channels. She has also worked with many opera singers, performing both on the QE II, her sister ship the Caronia, and on Page and Moy's 'Ocean Majesty'. Other work has included many engagements where the honoured guests were members of the Royal Family.

Scottish and Irish influences in Janet's repertoire relate to extensive tours during her student years playing in folk, folk-rock and traditional bands.