Dr. Rebecca Johnston joins the Columbia College music faculty as Music Program Coordinator.  In addition to conducting the Columbia College Choir, Columbia College Chorus and the Hi C’s, she will maintain a vocal studio and teach aural skills and conducting courses.

A native of Mississippi, Dr. Johnston has directed choral ensembles in the public school systems of Georgia and South Carolina, and has instructed voice, piano, music theory and aural skills in the private studio. Her ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at the state and national levels, and have performed upon invitation at multiple venues, including performances for guests of the Governor of the state of Georgia. Prior to her appointment at Columbia, Dr. Johnston held a position at the University of South Carolina. She is passionate about the comprehensive development of young musicians, and has served as adjudicator and clinician for choral festivals in the state of South Carolina. Her research interests include music psychology, specifically musical attitudes, and vocal function and pathology. Dr. Johnston has a personal interest in folk and contemporary music, as well as music theatre. She has toured the United States, Poland and South America with contemporary ensembles, and has performed in numerous stage productions in Mississippi, Minnesota and Georgia. In addition, she is an avid competitive cyclist.

Dr. Johnston holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University and the Master of Music Education and Doctor of Philosophy of Music degrees from the University of South Carolina, where she graduated with distinction. She is a member of MENC: the National Association for Music Education, SRME: The Society for Research in Music Education, SCMEA: South Carolina Music Educator’s Association, NATS: National Association of Teachers of Singing, GIML: Gordon Institute of Music Learning, and ACDA: American Choral Directors Association.