Joanna DeVoto
Joanna DeVoto is a director of orchestras at Ereckson Middle School. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where she was the President of the Symphony Orchestra, and played under the direction on Dr. Carol Smith. While at Sam Houston she also studied cello with Dr. Peter Kempter. Mrs. DeVoto began her teaching career in 2002 in Klein ISD (Houston), and then worked for the Plano Independent School District after she moved to the DFW area. In addition to consistent UIL Sweepstakes and Best in Class awards, under the leadership of Mrs. DeVoto, the Ereckson Chamber Orchestra has placed in the TMEA Honor Orchestra string finals the last several years. The Symphony Full Orchestra from Ereckson Middle School has been named Best in Class at the Peak Music Festival and has been named a TMEA Honor Finalist each year since 2015. In 2018, the Ereckson Symphony Orchestra was proud to become the first instrumental TMEA honor group from Allen ISD. Both the Chamber and Full Orchestra from Ereckson have also been named National Winners in the Mark of Excellence competition. In addition to her accomplishments as an orchestra director, Mrs. DeVoto was also honored to be named Ereckson Middle School’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. DeVoto spends time as an active clinician and judge in the Dallas area and around the state. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Mu Omicron. When not conducting an orchestra, Mrs. DeVoto enjoys spending time with her husband David DeVoto, also an orchestra director, and their daughter, Daniela. Mr. and Mrs. DeVoto also enjoy volunteering on the tech team at Preston Trail Community Church.