In Memoriam

Cynthia H Schwab

Cynthia H. Schwab was the cornerstone of ProMusica, an organization she founded forty-five years ago to bring world-class chamber music to the citizens of Joplin and the surrounding area. Her passion was the Pro Musica mission: to foster interest in, appreciation for, and enjoyment of live classical chamber music. ProMusica does just that, with an annual Chamber Music series, biennial symphony orchestra concerts, and beloved Pops concerts that have delighted audiences since 1981. Cynthia made sure to include educational events with visiting musicians – providing lectures, demonstrations, master classes and concerts for area K-12 students, college students and social service agencies.

Growing up in New York, Cynthia was exposed to classical music as a child. She loved it and considered music a treasure. When she moved to Southwest Missouri in the mid-60s, there were no classical radio stations in Joplin. The closest classical music broadcast she could receive on her radio was from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After organizing a variety of community concerts in the 1970s, she founded ProMusica in 1981 – “Ageless Music for All Ages.” Of great importance to Cynthia were four goals – providing the highest quality of chamber music available, keeping the concerts free of charge to the community, working with the Joplin School system to ensure that every fifth-grade student was exposed to classical music, and providing a warm welcome to the musicians. Indeed, the gracious hospitality Cynthia extended to visiting groups was legendary in Chamber Music circles. She frequently hosted them in her home and found her guests to be “the most fun people to talk to” because of their extensive travel and experiences.

Cynthia Schwab was a patron of education and a strong supporter of Missouri Southern State University, serving on its Board of Regents (now called Board of Governors) from 1990-1995. She was a member of The Lantern Society and the Missouri Southern Foundation Legacy Club.

She served as an advisory board member of The Friends of Chamber Music (Kansas City) and on the Board of Chamber Music America. In 1999 she received the Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council. In 2002 she received the first Frederick H. Laas Award from Missouri Citizens for the Arts. She was named one of the ten most influential women in Joplin in 2007.

Although not a musician herself, Cynthia performed in her own way by founding and directing ProMusica. In doing so, she played a vital role in the Joplin community, offering exceptional opportunities to so many. Her dedication to cultural enrichment and education is a legacy that will live forever.

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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.