The Little Traverse Choral Society welcomes Jan Johnson of Gaylord to their podium as their new interim music director and Ellen Kendall returns as piano accompanist for their 2016 December concerts. 

 

Johnson graduated from Spring Arbor University majoring in music education and continued certification through MSU.  She has sung with the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Directors’ Choruses in Europe under the direction of Gif Richards and then with Dr. Jerry Blackstone of U of M.  She assumed direction of the Gaylord School’s choir program at the Middle and High School levels, earning First Division honors at many state choral festivals.  She has also served as a judge at MSVMA choral festivals.

 

Ten years ago, Johnson organized the Gaylord Community Chorus, a group that she directs seasonally, as part of a summer patriotic concert and the annual Christmas College concert.  She also plays flute in her church’s worship band and in Gaylord’s Community Band. 

 

Upon recent retirement, Johnson has sung with LTCS each fall season, assisting the past few directors by directing sectionals and producing practice CDs.  

 

Johnson says, “she is excited about serving as Interim Director, and feels honored to have been invited to take leadership of such a fine chorus this fall, until a full-time director can be hired.”  

 

Kendall is a Michigan concert pianist noted for her performances in numerous venues across the United States.  She is a member of Windover Piano Duo, specializing in performing the music of women composers, as well as standard repertoire for solo and duo piano.  

 

Kendall received a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Michigan State University and a master of arts degree from the University of Michigan.  She has served as accompanist for the Birmingham Musical Choral Ensemble and for the Charlevoix Men’s Chorus.

 

​

​