Get to Know Ms. Johanna – The Heart Behind the Desk at BCC Music Houston
If you've ever called, emailed, or walked into BCC Music Houston, chances are you've spoken to or been helped by the always-smiling Ms. Johanna Jimenez, our incredible School Administrator. She's the one juggling recital plans, instructor updates, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Though she’s officially been in the role for a year and a half, Johanna has been part of the BCC family since the very beginning, helping her sister Ms. Vivian and brother-in-law Mr. David bring their dream of a music school to life. Raised in a classically inclined family in Colombia, her childhood home was filled with the sounds of classical and sacred music. Some of her fondest memories include singing with her sisters and parents, and blissfully napping during symphony concerts her parents would take them to. At school, Johanna was always the first to volunteer as a dancer and the one making everyone laugh — a trait she proudly still carries with her today. She moved to the U.S. 30 years ago and brings creativity, joy, and structure to everything she does.
A Day in the Life at BCC
Johanna’s favorite part of the job?
“I get to talk to people!”
But there’s way more going on behind the scenes. She starts planning recitals four months in advance, drafts performance orders, and keeps the lines of communication open with instructors and families. One of her proudest moments?
“Watching the students perform and seeing the joy on their families' faces!”
Music, a Touch of Holiday Cheer, and Royalty?
Ms. Johanna plays the cello (she named her cello, Cellia Cruz), and when it comes to musical idols, she looks up to the legendary cellists Jacqueline du Pré, Yo-Yo Ma, and Mischa Maisky. She secretly hopes that just by listening to their music often enough, she might absorb their incredible musical knowledge by osmosis.
Her music taste depends on her mood:
Studying a new piece? She listens to the piece on repeat.
Cleaning? Cue the Colombian music.
Feeling down? It’s time for Christmas tunes.
Reading? Instrumentals only.
She’s a fan of musicals (especially Mamma Mia and White Christmas), a big fan of singer Andrea Bocelli, and of the late Queen Elizabeth (she found out there was an actual queen when she was five years old — and the rest is history).
Oh — and she loves red pandas, collects gnomes, and owns way too many coffee mugs.
Questions from Our Students
What’s your favorite color? Pink!
Do you have a pet? Yes, a 13-year-old black Havanese named Maxies.
What’s your favorite food? I was born in Colombia, but my stomach is Mexican — and I also love sushi.
Do you have any hidden hobbies? Making up silly songs, creating things with my hands, and I’m obsessed with mystery color-by-number books (you don’t know what you are coloring until you’re almost done).
Are you a morning person? No, it takes me hours to function in the morning.
Coffee or tea? Coffee — strong enough to show up in a blood test. (Her family calls her coffee “petroleum” and “black ink.”)
Who’s your favorite sister? Ms. Vivian and Ms. Diana are my best friends. But… if I’m feeling hyper and silly, I go to Ms. Vivian first. If I need someone to cry with me, I go to Ms. Diana.
How old are you? I’m 42 years old.
Are you married? I’m happily single.
Do you like Harry Potter, and what house would you choose? Yes! Harry Potter is awesome — and Gryffindor, of course.
When was your first job ever? U.S. Army — I was a teen.
Would you trade jobs with someone at BCC? No thank you.
What do you do for fun? I like to read and spend time with my niece and dog.
Did you ever get in trouble in school? Yes, all the time — I talked too much.
A Life Full of Story & Spirit
Beyond BCC, Ms. Johanna is an Army veteran and a gifted artisan — not just by skill, but by heart. Her love for creating started early; at just seven years old, she handmade a table runner for her mother for Mother's Day, designing and needlepointing tiny vegetables around the border. She studied art, dressmaking, and design, and is still the go-to person when her sisters need something mended or creatively fixed. She loves to recreate things she sees in stores, always has two books in her backpack (one for entertainment and one for learning), journals daily (and carries her journal everywhere she goes), and pours her heart into everything she does.
We’re blessed that she’s part of the BCC family.