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Shawna Howard is a violinist and orchestra director from Central Kentucky.  Mrs. Howard attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Education.  While in college, Mrs. Howard began a private lesson studio which grew to include numerous students across Central Kentucky from a variety of ages and backgrounds.  Mrs. Howard also began working with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras directing the Friends in Music program while finishing her degrees.   

In 2012, Mrs. Howard and her husband moved to Texas where she became the head orchestra director at McLean Middle School.  During her time at McLean, the program grew from 40 students to include over 200 students.  Each year, the orchestra received sweepstakes 1st Division ratings at Festivals.  The middle school orchestra also received the Best Overall Ensemble at music festivals across the state numerous times.   It was at this time that Mrs. Howard developed a love for music festivals and the team atmosphere it created among her ensembles.  She is a firm believer that groups that travel and play together- stay together!  Her retention rate was always higher than 97% from year to year.  

Mrs. Howard moved back to Kentucky in 2017 where she began working with Friends in Music again.  The program has grown from about 50 students to around 150 students in 2022.  Many of these students also take private lessons from professional music teachers and receive scholarships to cover lesson costs and tuition assistance when joining the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras.  

Mrs. Howard has also started a beginner orchestra at The Lexington Latin School where her children attend.  The program is growing, and the students are excited to come to class each week.  

During her time back in Lexington, Mrs. Howard saw a need for more venue options that music directors could take their ensembles.  Her own children always love attending Malibu Jacks and she knew this would be a great venue to host the Acclaim Music Festival.  

Mrs. Howard is most proud of her wonderful family.  She has four children and an amazing husband.  Her oldest children are learning to play the cello, bass, and piano.  Mrs. Howard’s faith in Jesus is her primary motivator.  She wants every student she works with to feel like they are valued and are encouraged.