MARY ELIZABETH HENTON
Conductor, Bravo String Orchestra
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Henton is an experienced music educator, conductor, and researcher dedicated to advancing youth orchestra education in Central Kentucky and beyond. She currently serves as the co-conductor of the Bravo Strings Orchestra with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras (CKYO) and as the Learning & Partnership Program Manager with the Lexington Philharmonic, where she leads educational outreach and community engagement initiatives.
Prior to her current roles, Dr. Henton spent 12 years teaching in K–12 public schools as a 4th–12th grade orchestra director. She has collaborated with the Kentucky Department of Education to develop Visual and Performing Arts standards and is an active presenter at both state and national conferences.
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Her research focuses on peer mentoring in string education, student voice and choice in youth orchestras, connections between K–12 music education and lifelong learning, and students’ experiences with performance anxiety and self-efficacy. In addition to her CKYO work, she contributes to the broader music education community through service on the Community Music Committee and Research Committee for the American String Teachers Association, as well as the Connected Arts Network (CAN) Project with NAfME.
Dr. Henton holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Eastern Kentucky University and a PhD in music education from the University of Kentucky.