Janita K. Byars has her doctorate from Teachers College of Columbia University and degrees from Indiana University, Pace University, and Manhattan School of Music. She was also awarded a Performer’s Certificate from Indiana.
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Byars began her professional career as solo clarinetist with the American Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Leopold Stokowski. Her career in education included service in the schools of New York City and its suburbs, high school administrative posts in New York in Carthage and Jamestown, and the position of director of the arts for the Rochester City School District. She earned administrative certification in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. She retired in 2008 from The University of North Carolina in Pembroke as professor of music. She served as the music department chair and the director of the graduate program in music education and led the department in three accreditation procedures.
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Byars has two sons. Michael (a former soloist with the New York City Ballet, now a corporate lawyer) and Christopher (a professional jazz saxophonist and composer/arranger). Michael and his wife, Rachael Venner, are the parents of Samuel, age 3. Chris and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of Anna, age 7, and John, age 3.
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As PWNY's Poet of Transformation, Byars will work with ministers and congregations in addressing two foundation questions of transformation:
1. Who are we...
- as individuals?
- as members of the congregation?
- as congregations?
- as members of the larger community?
2. What is it that God is calling us to do?
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Goals for the work of the Poet of Transformation include working spiritually, sensitively, and systematically with ministers and congregations in the following areas:
Development of leadership (pastoral as well as congregational)
Identification and maximal usage of the “gifts” of members
Facilitation of effective and efficient structures
Provision of support for:
- Discipleship
- Spirituality
- Discernment
- Creation of disciples
- Support for Worship (including music)
- Loving relationships
- Vital small groups
- Evangelism through meeting valid needs of others
- Generosity
Contact Janita at JanitaB@pbywny.org
