Artistic Staff
Michele Fowlin
Artistic Director, Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir
Michele Fowlin has cultivated her love and passion for music from a young age. Fowlin was accepted into the Juilliard School’s precollege program for aspiring young musicians as a piano student. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Vocal Performance/ Pedagogy with a minor in piano from Howard University, where she studied with renowned opera singers Regina McConnell, Carmen Balthrop, and Charlotte Holloman. Under the tutelage of Dr. James Weldon Norris, as Assistant to the Conductor for the University Choirs, she traveled nationally and internationally with the University choir, featured as conductor and lead soloist. She has performed for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, former President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn campaign, former Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, Ambassador Sasae of Japan, and numerous others. Fowlin is the founder of the Arts/Culture podcast, The Muses Behind the Music, and the Associate Director of Contemporary Music at The Washington National Cathedral.
Anthony “Tony” Walker
Music Director, Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, Piano, Keyboard
Recording artist, pianist, and composer, Anthony “Tony” Walker began his piano training at age five and made his public debut at age 10. Walker received his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Temple University where he studied with the late Natalie Hinderas. Walker has performed around the world, sharing stages with world-renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, Kelly Price, Chaka Khan, Cynthia Erivo, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, and Renée Fleming. He was a featured artist with the National Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Pops, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has performed at The White House as music director for Grammy Award winner, Ledisi (at the request of First Lady Michelle Obama), and at the 2013 inauguration of President Barack Obama. Walker serves as Music Director for Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and Hope Christian Church, and is an Adjunct Professor of Piano and Music at Eastern University.
Karon Johnson
Choreographer
Karon Johnson is the co-owner of RC Johnson Enterprises, LLC, operating as The LabX, a consulting firm specializing in education, creative arts, and technology. With over 15 years of experience as an educator in Prince George’s County Public Schools, she has expertise in dance, health education, and curriculum development, championing equity and inclusion through innovative programs. Karon holds degrees in Exercise Science and Educational Technology and has contributed to Loyola University Maryland’s educational blogs, blending pedagogy and technology. Currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Johns Hopkins University, her research examines social justice and Western influences on school discipline in urban districts. Karon’s creative pursuits outside her professional work include voice acting, choreographing, and staying active at the gym. She is passionate about empowering communities and shaping equitable education through her multidisciplinary approach.
Stanley J. Thurston
Artistic Director Emeritus
Stanley J. Thurston led the choir with such well-known artists as BeBe Winans, Dionne Warwick, Kiri Te Kanawa, Denyce Graves, Kathleen Battle, the Canadian Brass, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and jazz legends Ramsey Lewis and Wynton Marsalis. He served as conductor of Washington Performing Arts and PostClassical Ensemble’s The Art of the Spiritual concert, and as music director for Of Thee We Sing: The Marian Anderson 75th Anniversary Celebration, presented by Washington Performing Arts, conducting a 250-voice choir comprising choruses from around the D.C. area. He has been commissioned to compose and conduct two works for Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, including a musical tribute for President Obama’s Inaugural Prayer Service in 2009. Additional performances have included a recording of holiday music for Sirius Radio, guest appearances at Washington National Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, and NBC’s Today. Choruses under his direction have performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Royal Ballet, among others. As a conductor, he has appeared in concert venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, the U.S. Capitol, the Music Center at Strathmore, Carter Barron Amphitheater, DAR Constitution Hall, Arena Stage, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington National Cathedral, and the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, the Soulful Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Civic Symphony, Prince George’s Philharmonic, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
