Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2025 7 Metropolitan Opera Auditions (1980 and 1981). In 1986, Ruth was a charter member of the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter in Arkansas. She went on to serve Mu Province as Province President, Province President/Vice President, and ultimately Province Officer. Working with SAI People-to-People Director Ruth Sickafus, she helped establish a cultural exchange between Mu Province and musicians in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Ruth traveled to Bolivia with the Arkansas chapter of Partners of the Americas to give recitals and master classes. The people of Bolivia sought her advice on developing musical programs, including the establishment of a youth orchestra. Together, Mu Province chapters and the People- to-People project were able to supply Bolivians with musical supplies and instruments—including the first cello in Santa Cruz. After moving to Asheville, North Carolina, Ruth went on to serve as the Fraternity's National Newsletter Director, Editor of Tempo!, and Tau B Province Officer. When Dorothy Whinery resigned as National Executive Secretary, Ruth accepted the vacated position—later titled Executive Director—in 1992. With this appointment, the National Executive Office—later called National Headquarters—moved from Des Moines, Iowa, to Ruth's new hometown of Asheville. Her experience as an adjunct voice teacher, music director, and school PTA president aided in her transition to National Executive Secretary. Her business experience also included working at both the University of Arkansas Little Rock and the University of North Carolina-Asheville; a secretarial position at MacMurray College during her time there; and a tax preparer for H&R Block. RUTH continued on page 8 Natial Cvention "The SAI National Headquarters is a tangible home for the permanent records of SAI. It is also now a home with welcoming arms for any SAI who wants to feel embraced. As SAI musicians make a difference in the lives of those around the world, I hope the SAI home will make a difference in the lives of those SAIs." —Ruth Sieber Johnson, —Ruth Sieber Johnson, PAN PIPES PAN PIPES, Fall 2005 , Fall 2005 At left, members of Iota Zeta present Ruth with a $1,000 donation to SAI Philanthropies, Inc., 2014. At left, members of Iota Zeta present Ruth with a $1,000 donation to SAI Philanthropies, Inc., 2014. At right, Ruth and Mary Kay Bauer perform At right, Ruth and Mary Kay Bauer perform The Musical Adventures of Jack and Jill The Musical Adventures of Jack and Jill with Suzanne Floyd narrating, National Convention, 2006 with Suzanne Floyd narrating, National Convention, 2006 At the SAI National Convention, At the SAI National Convention, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2018 Scottsdale, Arizona, 2018

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