Luther Memorial Music Ministry

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Juanita Smoot (Nita) lives on a farm in Henry VA which she shared with her late husband, Jim Wilson. She is the proud mother of two adult sons, Justin and Alexander Hamlin.

After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont College (now University) in Nashville, TN, Nita spent two years as a Missionary Journeyman in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she worked as an accompanist and music instructor at the South Brazilian Baptist Seminary. Upon returning stateside, she earned a Master of Church Music/Organ Pedagogy degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where she was also the recipient of the 1983 Faculty Award in Church Music Education.

As a church musician and music educator, Nita has been affiliated with a variety of denominations and schools in a variety of roles in several states. Throughout her music career she has been involved in the music education of preschool age through adults in churches, studios, private and public schools and at the collegiate level. She was an “Artist in Residence” in Letcher County, KY and also contributed a published article, “Music and Movement Everyday -- Reality or Wishful Thinking?” to Worship Arts. Her professional memberships have included Sigma Alpha Iota, The Hymn Society, The American Guild of Organists, and Blue Star Mothers of America. She also served as the 2013-14 president of the board of directors of the Carolina Master Chorale in the greater Grand Strand area of SC.

Nita comes to us from Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA where she served as Organist/Choir Director since August of 2016.