Instructor and pianist Victoria Johnson has been named the Jones College Humanities Teacher of the year.
Dr. Victoria Johnson is the piano instructor, online music appreciation professor and accompanist for the choir and music majors at Jones College. Johnson said she was thrilled to receive this award and recognition.
“There is a great program here in the arts and the humanities, so to me it was a huge honor,” said Johnson.
Humanities at colleges ranges from fine arts to English. The definition of humanities is the studies of academic discipline that explore and interpret human culture, which include courses such as Philosophy, Art Appreciation, Choir, English Composition and Western Civilization.
The deans of Jones College are responsible for nominating instructors for humanities teacher of the year. Johnson’s dean is Bruce Smith, who is the Jones on Stage director and director of the recent musical West Side Story and heads the fine arts department.
“Victoria is always available to lend a helping hand whenever. She is truly so great at what she does,” said Smith.
Dr. Johnson will be recognized for this achievement on April 16 in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Building. Johnson will give a presentation about the famous composer “Fanny Mendelssonn.” In collaboration with the presentation she will play some of her music and perform with Dr. Teresa Sanchez, Dr. Lindsey Kay and Dr. Susan Smith.
During the winter snow storm in January, Johnson broke her wrist, so this performance will be her first one back since the accident. During the presentation she will play on the grand piano that is currently located in the lobby of the fine arts building. This Steinway spirio piano, when Jones College received it, was the one hundredth ever made. This piano can play live music from all over the world and can record music from past pianists.
“A couple weeks ago we watched a live performance from London. It was playing right there on our piano, which was really neat,” said Dr. Johnson.
The 10 a.m. event is free and open to all of Jones College and the public.
by Emma Claire Lowe
