Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES FALL 2014 sAI-NATIONAL.ORg 6 pFa Career aCHIevement aWarD Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson Honors a distinguished member of national or international renown actively engaged in the fraternity's discipline, and participating actively on a regular or continuing basis in the fraternity. A t the 2014 annual conference of the Professional Fraternity Association, Sigma Alpha Iota Member Laureate Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson was presented with the PFA Career Achievement Award. She travelled to Norfolk, Virginia to accept this award. From the nomination letter submitted by SAI National President Dr. Leslie Odom Miller: I am honored to nominate Dr. Joyce Johnson for the Professional Fraternity Association Career Achievement Award. Not only is Dr. Johnson well respected within her field of keyboard performance, but she has established herself as an international artist through engaging and outstanding solo performances around the world. Initiated in 1978 into the Zeta Phi Collegiate Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota in 1978, Dr. Johnson has continued her lifetime commitment to SAI by serving as the chapter advisor for the Zeta Phi Chapter and being an active member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter. In recognition of her international distinction in the music profession, she was initiated as an SAI Member Laureate in 2011. Dr. Johnson has enjoyed a long and successful academic career in addition to her performing career. Hired in 1953 at Spelman College, Dr. Johnson has served in many capacities in the Department of Music. She has taught a variety of courses including piano, organ, music theory, keyboard literature and African American music. Additional service to her institution includes serving as Chair of the Department of Music from 1989-1994 and 1995-2001. Dr. Johnson's performances include piano and organ recitals, master class and workshops, performances in chamber music settings and accompanist for distinguished artists. She has been the featured piano soloist with many symphony orchestras and has performed under conductors Robert Shaw, Louis Lane, Christian Badea, and many others. In addition to holding a residency in Pernambuco, Brazil, Dr. Johnson has performed in Bermuda, Haiti, the West Indies, and France. At our 2012 National Convention in Atlanta, Dr. Johnson was our featured performer and was a resounding success! I had the great honor of performing in that concert with her and was tremendously impressed with not only her musicality, talent, and professionalism, but also by her humility and modesty. I firmly believe that Dr. Joyce Johnson fulfills the criteria for PFA's Career Achievement Award. I am proud to nominate her for this important award. exCerpts FrOm Dr. JOHnsOn's aCCeptanCe speeCH: "It is a distinct honor for me to receive this Career Achievement Award from this prestigious organization, the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) which, itself, has a legacy of its own. roughout its history, it has played a pivotal role by giving support, stability, and wisdom to constituent members — the fraternities represented here tonight. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Leslie Odom Miller, SAI National President, and members of the National Executive Board of Sigma Alpha Iota who nominated me, as well as those of the PFA who selected me to receive this award. I humbly accept this award on behalf of the many who have contributed to the person I am today. You have heard a few things about some of my accomplishments. What you have not heard are 'snippets' about the challenges encountered along the way and, more importantly, about the many forces that have impacted my life. I was born in the middle of the Great Depression, in small-town USA, in the segregated South, with limited economic, educational and cultural opportunities. However, having received musical genes from both musical parents, it was a blessing that I was nurtured in a home where music was important and music thrived – both classical music and jazz. (At an early age I was knee-deep in performing in both genres.) It was a blessing that life values and self- esteem were central to my development at an early age – values that have sustained me through saI MeMbers Honored Sigma Alpha iota represented at pFA SAI National President Leslie Odom Miller, Mu Phi Epsilon International President Rosemary Ames, Delta Omicron International President Jennifer Klafeta, in attendance at PFA.

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