Penny Hogan, a native of Iowa, graduated with honors from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music Education in voice. She received her Master of Music from the University of Michigan in Vocal Performance/Opera and is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Honorary Musical Society. Penny is a member of NATS, the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is also a member of the South Texas Chapter NATS. Penny is currently serving as President and has served as Auditions Chair. Penny also served as Auditions Coordinator for Natchez Festival of Music in Natchez, MS.

Penny studied voice with Douglas Duncan, Ellen Faull, John McCollum and Judith Coen. Her many reviews throughout her career were noteworthy in Opera News and Opera Canada. Greg DeJarnett from the East Penn Press wrote, “The gift in the Gift of the Magi is clearly actress/soprano, Penny Johnson (Hogan). She is a priceless performer. She finds every moment and innuendo. She sings superbly. Alone, she is worth the price of admission.”

Penny has taught at several universities over the years: Texas Christian University, Oral Roberts University, Simpson College, Roanoke College, Southwestern and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary before coming to teach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Her musical experience is vast and runs the spectrum of performer, teacher and choir director. Mrs. Hogan has enjoyed a successful career in opera, music theater, oratorio and concert recitalist. She has appeared as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall in New York. She was awarded the Shoshana Foundation’s Richard F. Gold Career Grant; was a finalist in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions; selected as outstanding Young Women in America and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Penny has performed with opera houses and symphonies throughout the United States: Anchorage Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Augusta Opera, the Cedar Rapids Symphony, Central City Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, Kalamazoo Symphony, Lyric Opera of Dallas, Natchez Opera Festival, and Sarasota Opera. She also was active performing with New York City Opera’s educational program, Opera Omaha, and performed with the Pennsylvania Stage Company. Penny was a returning soloist to FUMC Colorado Springs where she was heard as soprano soloist for Messiah and Haydn’s The Lord Nelson Mass over the years.

She maintains an active performance schedule with her teaching load. She has been heard as soprano soloist with UMHB’s Women’s Chorale, the Bell Civic Chorale, and has been featured with her husband, George Hogan, on the Holiday Concert for TSO on more than one occasion. She has been heard as soprano soloist in Haydn’s The Seasons with the San Gabriel Chorale, Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Mozart’s Requiem and Rutter’s Requiem. She has been heard in recital at UMHB, most recently in Fikes Chamber Hall in the Sue and Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center. Penny currently erves as Area Coordinator for Applied Studies and teaches Applied Voice Lessons. She spent many active years as the Associate Director of Opera/Music Theatre at UMHB. Her teaching load has included Vocal Literature and Advanced French diction. Penny has taught many area high school students as well in her private studio and throught the Conservatory of Music. Penny and her husband, George spent many years singing short programs for area churches and businesses. They are repeat performers for the Golden Agers, Young at Heart, Christmas Dinner at UMHB and others. Six summers were spent as performer/teacher with Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival in Iowa and in Indiana. Penny resides in Temple with her husband, bass, George Hogan. Life is rounded out with Jack our miniature schnauzer. Baseball is one of my passions. I miss watching our sons play baseball. Laughter is always the best medicine and walking outside enjoying the great outdoors. Keep singing always, it is so good for your soul!