About Me

Joie Cariaga teaches private voice lessons and is the director of choirs at Capital High School in Boise, Idaho. She joined the Capital staff after nine years of directing the choirs at Skyview High School where she was voted Teacher of the Year in 2013.  At Capital, Mrs. Cariaga directs five choirs, teaches AP Music Theory and serves on the Leadership Team.  Under her direction, Capital’s Volare Tenor Bass Ensemble was chosen to perform at the 2022 IMEA All State Conference, and Varsity Choral Union performed at the 2023 NAfME All Northwest Regional Conference. One of her favorite roles is that of Chair for the Idaho All State Mixed High School Honor Choir, where she has had the privilege of working with Dr. Edith Copley, Professor Vijay Sigh, Dr. Paul Torkleson, and composer/conductor Victor C. Johnson.

Joie received a Bachelor of Music Degree with an emphasis in Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish from Willamette University in 2002. In May of 2006 she received a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Boise State University, where she worked as a graduate teaching assistant in the areas of Music Education and Applied Voice under the tutelage of Dr. Laura Rushing-Raynes.  

As an alumni of the Idaho Coaching Network, Mrs. Cariaga has presented professional development for diverse content area teachers at the local, state, and regional levels.  She has served in various professional leadership roles including District III IMEA Choral Chair, Critical Mass Vocal Artist Ensemble board secretary, and Idaho ACDA R&S Chair for Treble Choirs.  She is an active member in both the National Association for Music Education as well as the American Choral Directors Association.

An avid reader and journal keeper, Joie is currently working on her first novel for young readers. She loves to run and completed her first marathon in May of 2015.  Joie cherishes time with her husband, Vinnie, and their two young children, Diego and Solana, who both share their mother’s love of music.