Mariah Barnett is in her third year serving as the Director of Orchestras at Lawrence High School. Prior to working in Lawrence Public Schools, she taught for five years as the elementary, middle, and high school orchestra director for the Topeka Seaman district. Mrs. Barnett received her Bachelors of Music Education from Baker University and is currently working towards her Masters in Music Education from K-State University. In addition to LHS Director of Orchestras, Mrs. Barnett is also Co-Director and Personnel Manager of the Lawrence Youth Symphony and former chairperson for the Northeast Kansas Da Capo Honors Orchestra as well as the Northeast Kansas Middle Level Orchestra. 

Mrs. Barnett has been a part of the teaching staff at both the Shawnee Heights Summer Camp, the Lawrence Novice Program, and the KU Midwestern Music Camps. In 2016, Mariah was honored to be named “Kansas Young Teacher of the Year” by the Kansas Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (KASTA). In addition to teaching, Mariah is a member of the Lawrence Community Orchestra and maintains a small private cello studio. 

Aside from her busy music schedule, Mrs. Barnett loves spending time with her wife, Myranda, and rambunctious toddler, Thatcher.