3 minute read
Sound Fuzion Spring Concert
1985 Master Education | 1988 Masters of Music - Orff Schulwerk
They say, "to teach is to touch the future" and with over four decades of instruction, 2022 Music Educator of the Year Michelle Johnson's impact will benefit future generations.
Her musical career began in the fourth grade at Alcy Elementary School through a pilot program the Memphis City Schools offered. Her parents were firm believers in the benefits of music and encouraged their daughter to pursue her passion. She took private lessons with Memphis music teacher Ann Ray, and she attended Memphis State University Music Camps during the summers. By the time she was 16, she was the one teaching violin lessons.
Johnson participated in the Memphis Youth Symphony, Tennessee's AllState Orchestra and played with the Mississippi Valley State University Orchestra, where she received her bachelor's degree. Returning home, she enrolled at Memphis State University and earned her master's degree in education and Orff Schulwerk. Upon graduation, her goal was to teach at her childhood alma mater and start a string orchestra. She joined the faculty of Alcy Elementary and, in 1993, founded the Alcy String Orchestra with the mission to give children access to strings and orchestra education — just like she received as a child.
"My dream was to have a big community orchestra where kids can be a part of regardless of ability,” said Johnson. "I wanted to give back what was shared with me."
In 2018, an exciting opportunity to inspire more children presented itself with the formation of the Harmonic South String Orchestra (HSSO). This budding community youth orchestra offers string instrument training and free piano or orchestra lessons to children in South Memphis.
HSSO puts violins, violas, cellos and basses in children's hands and provides quality musical instruction and authentic performance opportunities. As a result, music becomes a source of enjoyment, enrichment and employment for her students. During the summer, she organizes the Harmonic South String Orchestra camp, giving students an outlet to learn sight-reading and music theory while practicing daily in preparation for the end of summer recital. Many of her camp staff were at one time her students.
This past summer, Johnson had several students with disabilities. Wanting to ensure that every student can participate, she is heading back to school this fall to learn how to teach students with varying capabilities effectively.
"Michelle goes above and beyond to make sure that all students in her community are allowed to enhance their music skills," said nominator and Memphis-Shelby County School colleague Christin Amos.
Through her lifelong one word dedication to music education, Johnson has impacted thousands of lives by giving children somewhere to belong and inspiring legions of musicians throughout the city. Many of her students go on to perform at the collegiate level, become employed with professional orchestras and, maybe most importantly, follow in her footsteps to become music educators themselves.
A
s a graduate of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, you are a member of a vibrant network of distinguished alumni. Our alumni perform on stages, in studios and in classrooms worldwide. They hold prominent positions in major orchestras and ensembles, imprint their musical vision as soughtafter studio musicians and recording artists, produce and engineer Grammy-winning albums, win coveted prizes and honors, teach the next generation of musicians and serve as leaders in the rapidly evolving music profession.
We want to connect our 75 years of Memphis-made musicians to network, collaborate and support the future of music. So we’ve launched the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music Alumni Chapter to keep alumni connected, invested and engaged with their alma mater.
AS A MEMBER, YOU CAN:
/ Grow professionally and personally
/ Connect to each other and to the School
/ Stay informed of the activities of the School and the University
/ Assist the School of Music in the recruitment of musically talented students
/ Financially support students studying music
/ Encourage educational and career opportunities for the students
The chapter is under the umbrella of the greater University of Memphis Alumni Association and is guided by the Music Alumni Chapter Board of Directors.
DONAVON HUGHES, BM ’21
Alumni and current music business students enjoyed the Alumni hard hat tour of the new Scheidt Performing Arts Center.
JOIN NOW! MEMBERSHIP IS FREE.
Visit alumni.memphis.edu/music to join the Music Alumni Chapter and make plans to attend an upcoming event!
