LaToya is a native of Anderson, South Carolina. She is enjoying her 8th year as Band Director at Marvin Ridge Middle School, and her 14th year in the teaching profession. Over the course of her teaching career, her students have consistently earned Excellent and Superior ratings at a variety of adjudicated events, as well as placement in district and state level honor bands. Ms. Johnson is an active performer and clinician, most recently serving as the clinician for the 2023 Ovation Invitational Honor Band Clinic for the Independent Schools of Charlotte, and was named the 2021-2022 Teacher of The Year for Marvin Ridge Middle School. As native of Anderson, South Carolina, Ms. Johnson attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education and studied Clarinet with Dr. Phil Thompson and Mr. Timothy Gordon. After college and a 3 year teaching stint at Southside Middle School in Florence, South Carolina, she returned to Winthrop full time to complete a Masters of Music Education degree, serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Instrumental Music Department. During this time, she studied both education and Wind Conducting with Dr. Lorrie Crochet. Ms. Johnson continues to make performance on her primary instrument a priority in her life. She is a member of the Carolinas Wind Orchestra, various small ensembles in the Charlotte area, and occasionally subs in the Florence Symphony Orchestra. Her professional affiliations include the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Carolina Band Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, and Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity. "Music Education is one of the most important, most rewarding careers on this earth. I believe that every child is deserving of an opportunity to experience, create, and perform music in some capacity."
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