Joanne Verney has spent decades delighting children with her captivating storytelling, a passion that began in her teenage years when she earned the endearing title of “Auntie Jo.” Over the years, her storytelling journey expanded to include her twin daughters and four grandchildren, enriching their lives with her creativity and imagination. As an award-winning middle school educator, Joanne seamlessly transitioned her storytelling prowess to the stage, founding a youth theater club at her school that sparked the imaginations of countless young students.

Joanne is thrilled to introduce her cherished character, Funky Nicky, to a broader audience, with the hope of spreading joy and wonder to even more young children and their families. Now residing in Illinois with her husband, Joanne embraces her role as a grandmother, enjoys nurturing her garden, actively volunteers, and explores new destinations through travel. Her commitment to inspiring and entertaining remains as vibrant as ever, and she looks forward to sharing her stories with a new generation of listeners.