Creekside Performing Arts
Creekside Choral Department
The Creekside Choral Department is a thriving component of the performing arts program. The membership has doubled in size over the past five years and over 250 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are involved. Although the entire choir program is non-audition and open to all students they regularly receive high praise from guest clinicians and judges. The eighth grade ensembles consistently perform high school level literature including Group 1 selections.
Numerous students perform at Solo and Ensemble annually with consistent Gold rating performances. Leaders can also be involved in the Creekside Tri-M Music Honor Society along with peers from the orchestra and band programs.
The choral program prides itself on its excellent comprehensive musicianship focus by daily striving to improve choral tone, developing independent music literacy skills, performing a variety of high quality literature, and connecting with the expressive and creative elements of music.
Concerts for the public are performed quarterly on top of extra outside experiences like the annual charity basketball game and recruitment events.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Nicole Johnson is the Director of Choirs at Creekside Middle. The choral program has doubled in size under her direction. While at Creekside, her choirs have performed Group I high school literature and have consistently received superior ratings at Music in the Parks events as well as distinguished ratings from visiting judges and clinicians. In 2012 her students participated in premiering "Honor" by Cindy Baney in the Palladium at Carmel's Center for the Performing Arts.
Outside of her teaching responsibilities, Nicole directs the annual school musical and co-sponsors the Tri-M chapter. She has enjoyed serving as a clinician and judge throughout the state of Indiana for both middle and high school choral ensembles as well as serving as a guest conductor for Circle the State with Song. Nicole has been honored to support future music educators by welcoming student teachers into her classroom while collaborating closely with supervising professors.
In 2002, she received her B.A. in choral and general music education from Ball State University where she graduated cum laude. During her undergraduate experience Nicole received the Outstanding Future Music Educator Award in 2002 from the Indiana Music Education Association and the Outstanding Senior Award in 2001 from the Ball State University music education department.
Nicole remains active in the profession as a member of the National Association for Music Education and has presented at the Indiana Music Education Association Conference in 2014, 2015, and as a panel member in 2016. Nicole was awarded the Outstanding Middle School/Junior High Educator of the Year Award from the Indiana Music Education Association in January 2016. She was also a semi-finalist for the Teacher of the Year Award for Carmel Clay Schools in 2018.
Nicole currently lives in Westfield with her husband Greg and two children Kaylyn and Kameron.
Need to contact Mrs. Johnson? She can be reached at njohnson@ccs.k12.in.us