Accomplished Murrieta Valley Choir Director Says Goodbyes

The person who helped Murrieta Valley High School garner national attention for its choir program has announced she is leaving.

Choir Director Jaclyn Johnson taught her last class at the campus when school let out June 1. She told Patch she was one of two candidates to get accepted into University of Michigan's Doctor of Musical Arts program. She begins this fall.

"People all over the country apply," Johnson said. "They typically only take one, but this year they are taking two. We'll get a lot of attention. It is a huge school but the conducting program is really intimate."

Johnson, 31, taught at Murrieta Valley for six years. It was the second job out of college for the native Southern Californian. She earned her bachelor's degree at California State University Long Beach after she said she was inspired by her high school choir teacher.

"It was during my junior year, and from that point on it was a black-dot focus," Johnson said. "I knew I never wanted a desk job. I couldn't ask for a better job; I wouldn't choose any other.

At Murrieta Valley, this translated into leading the Chamber Singers to two Western Division championships and a appearance in 2011.

"To be able to do that by the age of 30, I am so honored," Johnson said. "It is the school; it is a community that values the arts. Murrieta Valley was the perfect place for me to be."

Johnson recently completed her master's degree in conducting at Chapman University, and said obtaining a doctor's degree will help her reach her ultimate goal of teaching at the collegiate level.

"Typically before you even graduate from University of Michigan's program, you are already offered a job at a university."

Johnson said the district has already found her replacement, Ray Medina, who was a classmate of hers at Chapman.

"The district is real supportive of the arts. It was a quick turnaround when I turned in my resignation."

She said Medina and others who applied were interviewed by a panel, and had to audition with the students.

"He is a wonderful musician and the students really liked him, so their fears are a little calmed."

Leaving hasn't been easy for Johnson. She said she teared up as she was sending her goodbye emails.

"The students have been amazingly supportive. They have always known my goal was to get my doctorate. We talk about our goals in class, and a lot of the girls want to go on to become high school choir directors. That makes me feel good."

She said it was not unusual for her to give "Johnson's Words of Wisdom" to her students.

"One, always ask. The worst they can do is say no. Two, you don't want to be 80 years old and say 'I wish I had done that.' You want to be 80 years old and say 'I did that.'"