Dr. Janya Martin has enjoyed a wonderful life deeply connected to Baylor and the Waco community. She graduated from Baylor University in 1963 with majors in German and Chemistry. She attended graduate school at Cornell University and The University of Texas and received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1975. She has taught German and Western European Music History at Baylor since 1967.
She has studied with Baylor professors in the fields of voice, organ, piano, harp, cello and conducting and has served as accompanist in the vocal and string divisions and as a guest lecturer on early childhood string education. She held the position of Organist-Choirmaster at St. Jerome’s Church from 1986-1998, and has served as organist-choirmaster for the Latin Mass from 2007-present. Dr. Martin held the position of Organist at Lake Shore Baptist Church from 2009-2016.
Dr. Martin came to St. Peter Catholic Student Center as Director of Music in 2015 after 30 years of unofficial involvement with the Catholic student ministry. With the help of many talented and generous people, the program at St. Peter has grown to include four choirs, various instrumental groups, three professional staff members and nine student staff associates.