Jacqueline Yost, a native of Salisbury, North Carolina, began her formal musical training in piano and voice with Karl Kinard, former music director for the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury.  At the age of 14, Ms. Yost began organ study with Mr. Kinard while also holding her first position as organist and choir director at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Salisbury. 

In 1991, Ms. Yost entered the Eastman School of Music as a student of David Craighead.  Following Mr. Craighead’s retirement in 1992, Ms. Yost continued her studies with David Higgs, was awarded the Evelyn A. Fraser memorial Scholarship, and in 1995 graduated with highest distinction.

From 1995-1997 Ms. Yost studied organ with Todd Wilson at the Cleveland Institute of Music.  In Cleveland, she appeared as guest recitalist for local festivals and concerts, and made her orchestral debut with the Cleveland Heights Chamber orchestra in November of 1996.  At graduation in 1996, Ms. Yost was honored as the recipient of the Henry Fusner prize for excellence in organ performance and the Holtkamp Scholarship in organ improvisation. 

In 1997, Ms. Yost entered the Eastman School of Music as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance.  From 1997-1999, she served David Higgs as departmental teaching assistant, and in the winter of 1999 was awarded a second teaching assistantship to the music theory department.  Ms. Yost’s awards during her doctoral studies included the Performer’s Certificate from Eastman, a nomination for the prestigious Artist’s Certificate, the Eastman’s Harold Gleason Emerging Artist Award for Organ, and second prize in the Rodland Memorial Scholarship in organ performance held in New Jersey.  In addition to performing many recitals in Rochester, she had also performed solo recitals in Buffalo, Oneonta, and Albany, NY, as well as Naples, Florida and Little Rock, Arkansas.  In May of 2002, she was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree along with a minor in music theory and a second master’s degree in theory pedagogy. 

After a one-year interim as professor of organ at Florida International University, Dr. Yost has returned to North Carolina as the Director of Music and organist at First Presbyterian Church, Concord.  In addition to teaching many students privately and performing widely, Dr. Yost serves as a lecturer in music theory and accompanist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

11 Union Street, Suite 106, P.O. Box 584, Concord, NC 28026 * 704.795.2787 * info@artsexperience.org
Site By: EyeBenders