Janis, a prize-winning graduate from both the RSAMD and RCM, studied with Elizabeth Grummer in Paris and immediately began as principal soprano with ENO. Her vast repertoire of lyric soprano roles, including La Traviata, The Countess Figaro and the Marschallin Der Rosenkavalier, has brought her acclaim through the mediums of stage, television, radio and film.

Her diverse career has taken her from The London Palladium in the RSC/Opera North production of Showboat to the Royal Opera House where she returned last autumn in Adrianna Lecouvreur. Janis is the voice on the Inspector Morse and Lewis soundtracks and appears in the Hollywood film The Life of David Gale. Earlier this year she made her hugely successful Metropolitan Opera debut as Pat Nixon Nixon in China, sang the leading role in the world premiere of James McMillan's Clemency and returned to The Foreign Princess Rusalka at Grange Park Opera. She makes her debut as Lady Billows Albert Herring with L.A. in Spring 2012.

In 2009 Janis created the role of Regine St Laurent in Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna for the Manchester International Festival followed by performances in London and Toronto, and gave the North American debut in a concert performance in Portland Oregon. She will also be appearing in the New York performances of Prima Donna at NYCO in April 2012.

Janis is also vocal professor at the RCM and has produced two solo albums and a DVD "A History of Vocal Teaching", a unique film tracing her vocal lineage, as well as "Singing in English" the second in the same series. She has given masterclasses at the RAM, RCM, RSAMD, for BYO and was artistic advisor on the ENO Opera Works Course.

Janis made her directorial debut with Cosi fan tutte at Grange Park Opera and went on to direct Iolanthe at the inaugural production of their new theatre.

She will be giving masterclasses next year at the Julliard School in New York.