Johnson graduated with a double major in music education and flute performance and also has a K-12 music credential. She is coming off a successful stint as band director at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista.

“I’m excited to see what happens this year teaching at a school I am familiar with that has a music tradition that I intend to keep alive,” said Johnson describing her new PLHS music position as “just a great opportunity. I’ve been around that program in different ways, and some of my close friends and colleagues were students at Point Loma High. A lot of great music has come out of there.”

Describing herself as “very much a band kid,” Johnson chose flute as her preferred instrument. “Half of everyone in fifth grade in Poway played an instrument in band,” she recalled adding her choice came down to violin or flute. “I said, ‘Let’s just try flute,’ which I grew passionate about over time,” noted Johnson adding, “I’ve been playing flute now for 20 years and I play professionally with San Diego Winds, one of two professional wind ensembles in the country. I’ve also played with the City Ballet of San Diego Orchestra for several years.”

The importance of music to the high school’s overall instruction cannot be overestimated, noted Stasi McAteer, Point Loma High SchoolParents Association’s Music Boosters president. “Point Loma High School’s storied history would not be complete without mention of its outstanding music program,” McAteer said. “From the Vanguard Marching Band performing at every OB Parade since the second year to all our classes performing an annual gala concert at Humphrey’s by the Bay, to newer events that support local businesses like Night Out On Newport, music at PLHS has always contributed to and celebrated the Peninsula community.”

Added McAteer: “In music, kids learn teamwork, grit, and a growth mindset, while fostering an appreciation for the arts and engagement with their neighborhood. It is a team activity where everyone works together to create something bigger and more beautiful than they can accomplish alone. With the addition of Sierra Johnson, we are heading into a bright future, ensuring we will keep music alive and thriving on the Point, for generations to come.”

PLHS junior Ayden Atilano said of Johnson: “Music means everything to me and being able to learn more about it and the inner workings of it at school is just awesome. I’m excited to get to know Ms. Johnson and how she teaches. Although she’s only been at this school for a week, she’s an amazing teacher.”

Johnson said of her approach to teaching music: “I love working with people and creating efficiencies, figuring out how to make things better. My real passion is teaching.”

Being PLHS’s new band and orchestra director will be challenging. “I teach six classes, all mixed grades, everything from beginning to more advanced,” noted Johnson adding she’ll be teaching music theory and marching band as well as color-guard classes. “The challenge, especially being the only instrumental teacher on campus, will be to find ways I can make it (instruction) fun for everyone at all times,” she added.

“Ms. Johnson has been very supportive of Colorguard since she came in, and respects our group, making us feel important and included in the Vanguard. This is important and makes us feel more motivated to be better as a team,” said junior Natalia Ritterman. “Our new coach she brought in, Mrs. Barton, has also been amazing with teaching us brilliant choreography and helping encourage new members. I’m looking forward to the future of this program with them, as I know we will see many positive changes.”

Johnson noted students in the Point Loma Cluster can begin learning and playing music in fifth grade. So some have several years of experience playing by the time they reach high school. She said her role as director, therefore, will be more about creating “musical ideas as a group” in her students, than it will be about telling them “how you play a B flat. I will need to take more time for less experienced players while leaning more on advanced student leaders to help out other students by teaching them what they already know.