Jo Canning

Dr Jo Cannings’ professional background in the arts includes being a visual artist, actor and dancer including roles with the Australian Ballet Co., Melbourne Theatre Co. and ABC. Jo’s creative work now continues at Montsalvat. Jo recently, was the “Acting Artistic Director” at the National Theatre Ballet School and was also the Artistic Director at e.motion21 (Dance for individuals with Down Syndrome).

Unusually, Jo also has many years’ experience in inclusive projects and a PhD as a scientific researcher in genetics, neurology and interventions for global delay. This career in science was due to the birth of Adam and Jo’s twins. Mia was born with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

Following on from this rather expansive history Jo’s shift to puppetry has been empowered by her husband Adam and Mia’s interest. Mia’s pen pal Cheryl Henson is Jim Henson’s daughter and their correspondence empowers the family to keep creating a pathway for Mia’s interest.