In this episode Listen to a conversation between your host Vivienne Aerts and Dutch singer-songwriter and educator Merel Brusselers aka Joanne Bird as we talk about her 5 month travels through the US, bringing her new American band to the Netherlands, and her approach to education. About Merel Brusselers aka Joanne Bird Merel Brusselers is a singer, teacher, and entrepreneur from the Netherlands. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Music Education at Fontys Conservatory and a Master’s in Musical Leadership at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, she discovered her passion for songwriting and created her alter ego, Joanne Bird. Under this name, she crafts indie and Americana folk music with a touch of jazz, drawing much of her inspiration from her travels to the United States, which is vividly reflected in her work. In addition to performing, Merel teaches courses such as Songwriting and Cultural Entrepreneurship at her alma mater, Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg, Netherlands. Instagram Website About ViviTalks - Interviews with the Women Behind Typuhthâng. Introducing ViviTalks, a podcast hosted by Dutch New York-based musician Vivienne Aerts. Join us as we celebrate 100 talented female musicians from Vivienne's latest album "Typuhthâng," with a mission to empower female cacao farmers in the Virunga State Park of Congo and contribute to rainforest restoration. We delve into the musical journeys, creative processes, and unique perspectives of these talented women, seeking to bring greater balance to the music industry. It's a safe space for honest and authentic conversations with artists and trailblazers. Let's amplify the voices of remarkable women in music and stay tuned for inspiring stories and meaningful dialogues on ViviTalks. Stream the Album Buy it on Bandcamp and get the chocolate! More about Vivienne here Follow the podcast on your favorite platform