Joan Minnery

Envision your event with happy and motivated people. Participants appreciate being highly engaged and energized. At the end of the event, you want to see folks inspired and ready to take action.
Joan Minnery is the Little Engine That CAN!!!

Joan has that unique gift of having a real, raw, and relatable knack to motivate people. She makes them feel good. Joan is an authentic enjoyable personality – effervescent and high energy. People are happy when they hear her speak.
Joan relates unforgettable honest stories of struggle and triumph.

Her powerful talks are full of passion, laughter, humour and surprise. Afterwards audiences are ignited and spirited to do better.

Joan’s workshops are fun, interactive & creative. She gets people up moving and uses straight forward techniques to engage in dialogue, movement and social interaction. She delivers her insightful yet crucial messages with passion, energy, humour and the added element of music. As a professional entertainer, she is no stranger to the spotlight. She has toured across Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean. She combines her stories with what she does best – SING!

The Little Engine That CAN - 5 Feet 2 Inches of Peppy Dynamite

🌟 Joan Minnery – Author, Storyteller, Chaplain, and Multi-Talented Entertainer

Joan Minnery is a one-woman force of inspiration—a genuine go-getter with an indomitable spark plug of contagious effervescence. A pint-sized energizer bunny, Joan captivates audiences as she entertains with her band, SIVLE, solo performances, and motivational showcases, while also instructing her dance fitness classes across North America.

She is a multi-talented author, having released the children’s book The Adventures of Timothy the Tree (June 27, 2025) and the bestselling autobiography Walking My Way Back to Me. She is currently working on its long-awaited sequel, Dancing Into My Second Song.

🏆 Achievements & Awards
Voted Brantford’s Best Author – Diamond Award, Readers’ Choice Awards 2016 (First Runner-Up, 2015)
Recipient of the Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction Award
Mohawk College Music Scholarship named in her honor
Recipient of both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals for community volunteerism, health advocacy, and leading young children towards music
Five-time nominee for Brantford Citizen of the Year
Finalist for the 2017 Order of Ontario for contributions to youth music and health

🎶 Education & Professional Expertise
Master of Arts in Community Music, Wilfrid Laurier University (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies, Brock University
Early Childhood Education Diploma, Mohawk College
Ordained Pastoral Chaplain & Licensed Wedding/Celebration of Life Officiant, Community Catholic Church of Canada

Joan is also a Vocal Coach, Community Musician, Music Educator, Early Childhood Music Specialist, Drama Coach, Event Director, Motivational Speaker, Line Dance Instructor, and Zumba Instructor. She enjoys guest lecturing at Wilfrid Laurier University and leading adult Musicking Classes.

📚 Books & Availability
Walking My Way Back to Me
The Adventures of Timothy The Tree
Dancing Into My Second Song
Personalized print copies available directly from Joan

🎤 Professional & Community Roles
Joan is the CEO of Joan Minnery Enterprises, Director of SiNG iT Vocal Lessons & Performance, and Coordinator of the Brantford Cabaret musical theatre troupe. She performs professionally as the front person of SIVLE, a solo artist, and through her community music facilitation programs.

She also embraces her newest calling as an Ordained Pastoral Chaplain and Licensed Wedding & Celebration of Life Officiant, bringing compassion, guidance, and joy to her community.

Joan’s highly sought-after motivational speaking tours across Canada and the United States, delivering impactful messages on self-love, the art of movement, community, and music.

🌳 Personal & Community Life
Hailing from Brantford, Ontario, Joan is the daughter of Bill and Elsie, the youngest sister of John, Anne, and Bob, and proud mother of Bill (BJ). She can often be spotted at events accompanied by her life partner, Keith Curley.

Memoirs • Music • Magic • Storytelling • Chaplaincy

Individual Awards

2025 - WINNER - Overall Team Grand Champion, World Dance Showdown, Indianapolis (with dance team STOMPtastic), along with 4 Golds, 1 Silver, four major choreography awards, and Judge's recognition.
2024 - WINNER - GOLD - Best Single - Band - International Singer Songwriters Association Awards, Atlanta Georgia
2025 - Winner of 31 Community Votes Awards for Business Excellence. Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze.
2025 - Winner of Best Music Lessons for Children, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2025 - Winner of Best Theatre and Community Groups, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2025 - Winner of Best Local Band -- SIVLE, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2025 - Winner of Best Wedding Officiant, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2024 - Finalist in the International Singer Songwriters Association Awards, Atlanta Georgia
2024 - Winner of 29 Community Votes Awards for Business Excellence. Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze.
2024 - Winner of Best Music Lessons for Children, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2024 - Winner of Best Theatre and Community Groups, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2024 - Winner of Best Local Band -- SIVLE, Platinum Award, Community Votes
2021: Finalist in the International Singer Songwriters Association Awards, Atlanta Georgia
2016: Winner of Best Motivational Speaker, Diamond Award, Readers’ Choice Awards
2016: Winner of Best Local Author, Diamond Award, Readers’ Choice Awards
2016: Winner of Best Dance Instructor, Diamond Award, Readers’ Choice Awards
2013: Winner of Brantford’s Best Professional Entertainer, Readers’ Choice Awards
2013: 1st runner-up of Brantford’s Favourite Music Teacher, Readers’ Choice Awards
2012 & 2013: Winner of Brantford’s Best Fitness Instructor, Readers’ Choice Awards
2002 – 2007: 5-time nominee for the Brantford Citizen of the Year
2004 & 2005: 1st place People’s Choice Awards, Cruisin’ & Bloomin’ Fest
2005: 1st place People’s Choice Awards, Windsor Stars Festival
2004: Winner of the BEST FESTIVAL Award – Brantford Elvis Fest, Tourism Awards
2004: Winner of the Tourism Builder Award, Tourism Awards
1997: Recipient of the Keys to the City, Red Bank New Jersey Fabulous 50s Festival
1996: 1st place People’s Choice Awards, Collingwood Elvis Fest
1996: Winner of the Rising Star Singing Contest, South Western Ontario
1985: North Park Collegiate Highschool Vocal Music Award

Single performer. I require a microphone, sound system, 8 foot table, power source, water, and about a 10 foot performance area. As I am quite short, an elevated riser or stage would be beneficial but I do move around quite a bit. I can bring in my own sound system, if needed. A side table for display is also appreciated.