Cindy Johnston, Artistic Director

Cindy Johnston, Artistic Director, graduated summa cum laude from West Texas State University (now WTA&M) earning a Bachelor of Music Education. An educator of 28 years, Cindy retired from McKinney ISD after 23 years at 3 campuses, Valley Creek Elementary, Evans Middle School, and finishing at McKinney High School as Director of Choirs. While at Valley Creek, she received the 1999 Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2004, she joined the inaugural faculty at Evans, building the choir program to 220 students. In 2009, her Evans Varsity Treble Chorus was a featured Honor Choir at Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the first group ever selected from MISD. In the fall of 2010, she became Associate Director of Choirs at McKinney High School, subsequently being named head director the following year. Her choirs enjoyed consistent success with superior ratings at UIL Evaluations. Cindy served the district in planning and executing major vocal department events and served as TMEA Region 25 facilitator for Middle School All-Region Choir. While at MHS, she was MISD Vocal Team Lead and continued to serve Region 25 as Secretary and Treble Choir Region Coordinator.In her community, she served in First Baptist Worship and Arts, singing in choir and directing the handbell ensemble. She co-founded and fully directed summer camps with McKinney Repertory Theatre and performed with McKinney Summer Musicals.

 

Cindy found her true joy directing choirs at the high school level, continuing the Madrigal Feast of Carols tradition, and music directing the campus musical. Her last production, “The Phantom of the Opera,” was the inaugural performance at the MHS Sperry Performing Arts Center, and garnered five Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards nominations, including Best Chorus/Ensemble and Best Music Direction. Ms. Johnston, however, says the best season by far was UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation. From starting the first notes to eventual performances in front of an adjudication panel, she relished this process, enjoying musical growth, both in her students and personally as a director. It is out of this love of choral music that Sostenuto was born, bringing together singers from many walks of life to stir the notes of great compositions, serving the community in song. Along with directing Sostenuto, Cindy music directs for Outcry Youth Theatre based in Plano and serves as a choral clinician and UIL Adjudicator.. She has three grown children, truly the best works of her life, and two precious grandchildren.

Debra Morton, Accompanist & Composer in Residence

Debra Morton, Accompanist and Composer in Residence, developed a love for the piano started before she started taking piano lessons at the age of five. She added organ lessons three years later and became a church organist at age eleven. Her dedication and commitment to her craft led her to pursue a degree in piano performance at Baylor University, where she graduated cum laude. Following her graduation, Debra worked as a dinner theater musician, a keyboard player at Disney World, and a rehearsal pianist in New York City. Additionally, she has coached voice, directed choirs, and composed music for children’s musicals and vocal groups. Her compositions have been featured by several TMEA Honor choirs in San Antonio, Texas. For 27 years, Debra served as a staff accompanist for McAllen ISD, showcasing her skills and dedication to music education. Currently, she holds the position of Chancel Choir Director and Children’s Choir Director at First Frisco Global Methodist Church. Beyond her musical endeavors, Debra finds joy in various creative pursuits. She’s an avid painter, loves cooking, gardening, and reading. She’s been married for 46 years and is the proud mother of 2 daughters. Her family has grown to include 4 cherished grandsons.