Often noted for their keen sense of ensemble blend with joyous spirit, the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City is reflective of the unique musical background of their conductor, Dr. Rebecca Johnson. Assuming the leadership position in 1998, Johnson combines extensive instrumental and chorale skills with a love of music education and history resulting in an ensemble and repertoire as varied and unique as the conductor herself.

Prior to assuming her position as conductor of the Metropolitan Chorale, Johnson served as interim conductor for the Pride of the Prairie orchestra, a tri-state "town and gown" ensemble in Colby, Kansas; chair of the choral department for McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska; and principal flutist for the woodwind quintest, Quintessence. Dr. Johnson's ensembles toured annually throughout the United States and Great Britain. Johnson's degrees include a bachelor's in instrumental music from the University of Northern Colorado, a master's in music education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and a doctorate in choral conducting from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Those with whom Johnson has studied include Eugene Corporon, Dr. Ryan Board, Dr. Charles Robinson, Dr. Howard Skinner, Dr. John Buckner, Dr. Robert Olson, Suzanne Jauvenout and Dr. Walter Smith.

In demand as adjudicator and clinician, Johnson works with Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska State High School activities as well as numerous festivals and competitions. In addition, Johnson has served as guest conductor for honor orchestras festival choral ensembles in all three states.

As a frequent guest lecturer, Johnson recently teamed up with her husband Dr. Robert Johnson to provide lectures for the "At East With Opera" series sponsered by the Lyric Opera Guild of Kansas City. Together they have presented lectures on the Pirates of Penzance and The Magic Flute. Johnson also recently presented Teaching Music at the Community College for the University of Missouri - Conservatory of Music's Friday afternoon lecture series.

Off the podium, Dr. Johnson is coordinator of music and instructor for Metropolitan Community College - Blue River and serves on numerous boards including the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, George Caleb Bingham Academy of the Arts and the Lyric Opera Guild of Kansas Ctiy. Johnson is the recipeint of the Certificate of Honor from Pi Kappa Lambda and holds memberships in the American Choral Directors Association, the National Music Educators Association, Tau Beta Sigma and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Johnson is proud of the relationship the Metropolitan Chorale has with MCC Blue River. "Metropolitan Chorale members are committed to serving the music with excellence, and they work hard to that end, " says Johnson, but "giving life to sound through voice and character is an almost magical thing, well worth the effort."