The Pella Opera House has announced the promotion of Jara Johnson to Associate Director. Johnson first connected as a performer at the Opera House with her Christmas show in December 2018. The following year, Johnson was hired as Event Coordinator for special events at the Pella Opera House.

Johnson’s skills at organizing, implementing and promoting both special events and the theatre shows and activities has been valued by current Executive Director Cyndi Atkins, especially as the Opera House experienced growth in programming and attendance over the past two years. Johnson was instrumental in the development of the annual “Nashville North” songwriters show, even performing at the first of this now-annual event in October.

“We are so fortunate to have Jara as a valued leader at the Pella Opera House,” said Executive Director Cyndi Atkins. “She helps so much in the identification and selection of new performers at the Pella Opera House. She is also a vital part of the growth of our special programs, especially our annual Gala and the Festival of Trees.”

Johnson is a singer/songwriter originally from Clarinda. During her career, Johnson spent four years living in Nashville perfecting her artistry; singing, recording, and writing songs with some of Nashville’s best songwriters. In 200,8 her musical career took another turn, as her husband’s job change brought them back to Iowa. Johnson continues to travel back and forth to Nashville several times every year to continue recording, singing demos, writing and performing at places, such as the world-famous Bluebird Café. Johnson also added more Iowa performances to her schedule while continuing her work at the Pella Opera House.