‘Overtures of Hope’ begins

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve successfully launched  Overtures of Hope. The goal of this temporary initiative is to bring the power of live classical music to area health care facilities and other service organizations. Serving medical workers, patients, and residents, Overtures of Hope is produced through masked, safely-facilitated, socially-distanced means for artists and patrons.

Recently, we presented Kansas City’s Opus 76 Quartet to audiences at Mercy Hospital Joplin and Lafayette House, reaching over a hundred patrons. The ensemble played Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Opus 132, originally composed in 1825. Wondering what a string quartet is? This traditional chamber music configuration includes (as the name implies) four musicians, including two violinists, a violist, and a cellist.

Patrons enjoyed experiences, including the following reflections:

“It felt like I had been given my own precious gift” – Lafayette House resident and patron

“I didn’t even know what this music was called… it’s magical.” – Mercy Hospital staffer and patron

Please enjoy photos from the concerts below. Stay tuned over the coming months as Overtures of Hope continues.

 

 

2020-21 Season Announcement (Updated as of January ’21)The Globe spotlights ‘Overtures of Hope’ and our new Executive ...

Emlyn Johnson

Emlyn currently serves as Creative Director of Pro Musica. Emlyn’s background as a classically trained flutist, educator, and presenter eventually led her to Missouri, where she taught in the music department at Missouri State University and was the Executive Director for Pro Musica from 2021 – 2023. She is the co-director of the American Wild Ensemble and performs regularly around the state and beyond, and is an adjunct instructor of Flute at UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, MO. Emlyn holds a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music and holds additional degrees from Eastman and the University of Michigan. She is responsible for creative and artistic aspects of Pro Musica and guides the selection process of concerts, reporting to the Board of Directors

Joani Zibert

Joani serves as the incoming Executive Director of Pro Musica, bringing more than 17 years of executive leadership experience across nonprofit governance, arts education innovation, K-12 and postsecondary education development, public and private funding strategy, legal compliance, and organizational growth. A nationally recognized school founder and non-profit executive, she has secured millions in public and private funding, built high-performing organizations from the ground up, and guided boards through periods of transformation, scale, and long-term sustainability at the local, state, and national levels.

Joani is the founder and former Board President of Doral Academy of Nevada, where she led the creation and expansion of an arts-integrated school system now serving over 5,000 students, transforming community frustration over the loss of arts education into an award-winning model of creative excellence.

Originally from the 4-States area, with Slovenian grandparents, she has worked nationally gaining a professional background that includes serving in varying roles including President of nonprofits, Director of Operations, Director of Law & Policy, Director of Grants, Director of Marketing, and senior executive advisor roles. Joani is known for aligning missions with measurable impact while bridging vision, governance, and execution. Her work is rooted in the belief that the arts are not an accessory to education or community life, but a catalyst for connection, economic vitality, and generational change.

As Executive Director of Pro Musica, Joani brings a bold, forward-focused approach centered on organizational excellence, financial sustainability, expanded community engagement, and the elevation of Pro Musica’s role as a cultural cornerstone. She leads with clarity, courage, and collaboration while committed to honoring Pro Musica’s legacy as we build the next chapter with strength and momentum.