Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Palmer.
Hi Janet, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We moved here from Wisconsin in the spring of 2023, to be closer to our granddaughter. I had been very involved in music and theatre in Wisconsin, having retired in 2019 (38 years teaching general music and choir, and working with educational and community theatres in the area), and so I looked for places here where I could continue that involvement. I started with ACT as Music Director of their production of “Into The Woods, Jr.”, and have helped by directing, music directing, costuming, and even doing some choreography for several shows since then – mostly with the Junior Program, but I’ve also been lucky enough to direct “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Annie” over the past few seasons. I joined ACT’s board in December of 2025, and am also the Artistic Director of Hagerstown Choral Arts, the community choir here in town.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Another reason for our move here was some health issues my husband has – our son is a nurse, so he is a big help with everything that goes along with that – that part of the journey could have been much more difficult, if we hadn’t had that support. My involvement with theatre and music here has actually been fairly drama-free – I think partly because I have such a loooooong base of experience to draw from, but mostly because the people I’ve gotten to work with are so welcoming and encouraging.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
38 years in public education, teaching choir, general music, music theory, careers, computers, and creative thinking! I’ve taught all ages, but my favorite by far is middle school, which says a lot about me as a person. I’ve also worked since 1978 as a church musician, with choirs (singers ages 2 through adult) and as a choral and worship accompanist. I think my experience (in 4 different states) sets me apart – there’s not much I haven’t dealt with in these areas, so I usually have a solution for whatever is causing an issue. I’m pretty proud of all three of my kids – all successfully adulting in three different parts of the country!
What were you like growing up?
I’m an only child, so I pretty much grew up with my nose in a book. I started playing organ when I was 5, and was always interested in music/dance/theatre, but outside of singing in school choirs and playing in the band (percussion – marching band geek for life here) there wasn’t much opportunity in the small town I grew up in. College opened those doors much more for me, but it wasn’t till I got my first teaching job and was asked to choreograph the High School musical that fall that I really learned how much I loved everything involved with a stage production.
