Joana Senra was born in the Portuguese capital Lisbon and grew up in Cascais. She began her ballet training at a small dance school in her home town. In 2013 she went to the Ana Mangericão Dance School in Lisbon and one year later she continued her training at the National Conservatory. In 2019 she came to the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart from which she graduated in 2021.

She successfully participated in several competitions. At the Prix de Lausanne 2019 she was a semi-finalist and won a scholarship. At the Vaganova Prix 2018 she was also a finalist. She won third prizes at the European Ballet Grand Prix 2018 as well as at the Oporto International Dance Competition 2016.

For the 2021-22 season Joana Senra was an apprentice with the Stuttgart Ballet, one season later she became a member of the Corps de ballet.