Longevity in the Arts

Longevity is difficult to find in today’s world.  In order to survive and thrive, a non-profit’s programs must be relevant and impact the community, while remaining adaptable and open to change.

Pro Musica’s 2019-20 Season is our 40th!  Our longevity is attributed to:

  • Presenting the highest quality music, in concerts that are open to the public at no charge.
  • Providing a robust Arts Education Program benefits students in public and private schools, homeschool students, and adults with limited ability to attend a concert.

While our two foundational principles remain steadfast, Pro Musica seeks opportunities to innovate and try new ideas. Last season’s “Bach-A-Bye-Baby Concert” along with the informal “coffee shop concert” are great examples of programming concepts that reached new audiences.

The 2019-20 Season celebrates Pro Musica’s longevity with a special “Encore Performance Season” that brings some favorite ensembles from past seasons back to Joplin. A special highlight is a double string quartet concert. The season concludes with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet returning to present a program honoring Dave Brubeck’s Centennial – a perfect capstone for our 40th Season Celebration.

Our Arts Education Program for 2019-20 includes 11 Arts Education Events impacting approximately 2,000 students and adults including every 4th and 5th grade student in the Joplin R-8 school district.

The consistent support of people like you insures Pro Musica can continue to offer world-renowned musicians in concerts and educational settings.  We appreciate gifts of all sizes and ask you to consider partnering with us.  Click on About and then select Donate to support the arts!

 

Lori Marble: Arts alive and well in JoplinPro Musica to Receive Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

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.