Joan DeVee Dixon is Director of Music Ministry at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota.  She collaborates with many Czech-American projects and is a featured artist for the International Dvorak Society and American Spring Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.  She is a native of Iowa.

 

Dr. Dixon made her professional debut with the Minnesota Orchestra at the invitation of Sir Neville Marriner as Grand Award winner of the WAMSO competition.  She is a five-time recipient of the prestigious Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, author of the Bio-Bibliography of George Rochberg (Pendragon Press), and has collaborated with Emma Lou Diemer in dozens of world premiere performances.  She also specializes in Czech literature for piano, four-hands, performing with pianist Alice Fiedlerová, a faculty member of New York University in Prague.

 

Dr. Dixon has toured Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Palestine, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the USA.  Her performances have included the Spanish Hall in Prague Castle, St. James Basilica in Prague, Oskara Nedbala Theatre in Tabor, and the Church of St. Moritz in Olomouc, Czech Republic; Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and the Temple Church in London; Town Hall and Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England; American Cathedral in Paris, France; St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy; St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Tokyo, Japan; The Kennedy Center, Washington National Cathedral and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC; Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, Chicago Temple, Rush Hour Concerts and Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago; The National Czech and Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis; Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul; and the World Congress Center in Atlanta.

 

Dr. Dixon’s list of compositions includes works for piano, organ, choir, band, and congregations.  Americana: Suite for Concert Band with soloists piano, four-hands was composed for the Prague Castle Guard and Czech Police Band (Hudba Hradní Stráže a Policie České Republiky), Col. Vaclav Blahunek, Ph.D., Director and Chief Conductor.  It was premiered at the opening concert of the 2014 American Spring Festival in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle.  Prayer (St. Wenceslaus) for Concert Band with Organ will be premiered during the Czech Republic’s National Celebrations of St. Wenceslaus Day in September 2014.  Czech Heritage Mass was commissioned by the Czech Heritage Partnership for the 150th Anniversary Celebration of St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa, and has been used by congregations throughout the USA.  Dr. Dixon has arranged many American Spirituals for organ, Christmas selections for piano, piano/organ duets, and new worship songs for choirs and congregations.  Information on these and other compositions can best be obtained by contacting her directly.

 

Dr. Dixon’s CDs include: Psalms: The Lord's My Shepherd; Psalms II: I Lift My Eyes to the Hills; The Psalms of Emma Lou Diemer (three volumes); Raise the Roof!; Organ for Eight!; Something Old, Something New; Jubilee; Spirituals; Christmas; and Chamber music by Emma Lou Diemer (Albany Records).  She is working on a new collection of worship songs.  Her music is often heard on television, radio and online streaming.

 

Dr. Dixon is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMA) and Drake University (BM, MM), where she serves on the Leadership Advisory Council of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute.  She is a member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), and is represented by the Concert Artist Cooperative.

 

To purchase any of Dr. Dixon’s CDs or for more information, please visit her website at www.joandeveedixon.com or contact her directly at email joandeveedixon@gmail.com.  Please include “music request” or something similar in the subject line so your inquiry does not accidentally end up in junk mail.