In 2026, the Heritage Hall Theatre Board created the Cook-Mount Initiative to memorialize two of its founders, Evelyn Cook and Kathleen Mount, who were both heavily involved in supporting the arts in Johnson County. The Cook–Mount Initiative (CMI) provides voice training for high school students, including homeschooled students. Selected students receive weekly lessons from a professional voice teacher at no cost for up to one year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, though the first round of selection is planned for October 1, 2026. Students are responsible for transportation and regular attendance. The location for lessons is TBA at this time and will be updated here once available. A student who misses two or more lessons will be removed from the program.
Evelyn McQueen Cook was born and grew up in Shady Valley, TN. She earned a B.A in English from Berea College and a M.S. in Administration Supervision from the University of Tennessee.
Evelyn taught high school English at Johnson County High School and then the George C. Mashall High School in Ankara, Turkey. She also served as Deputy Director of the Pre-Discharge Education Program for American servicemen and servicewomen in Europe.
Coming back home after years in Europe, she immediately became involved in the community – first as the co-chair of the Johnson County Bicentennial Committee in 1976, then added the Mountain City downtown revitalization project to her list of accomplishments – one of which is our very familiar “Scarecrows on Main” each October.
Evelyn, having long been a strong advocate of the arts, was equally interested in the renovation of the old high school auditorium – now known as Heritage Hall Theatre. She was an avid supporter of Barter Theatre, both as a member of the Porterfield Society and a member of the Barter Board of Trustees, as well as the Johnson County Center for the Arts. Her interest in the arts certainly included opportunities for young people to become involved – to either enjoy or perform drama and music, which led to her involvement in the JAM program – Junior Appalachian Musicians Program. Her interest and passion never wavered – Evelyn was all about the Arts.
The Cook Mount Initiative is a natural extension of both her love and passion for young people and theatre.
Kathleen Fain Scott Mount was born and raised in Bristol, Tennessee. She graduated from Sullins College and then from the University of Tennessee where she majored in bacteriology. She was employed by the State of Tennessee in the Central Laboratory in Nashville, before moving to Johnson City to teach at Stratton Elementary School – 6th grade.
In 1972 Kathleen married B.K. Mount of Mountain City and immediately became involved in the community – served on the Board of Frontier Health, President of the Johnson County American Cancer Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and most recently the board of the Heritage Hall Theatre. It was due to Kathleen’s efforts that we now have the beautiful baby grand piano used at the Hall.
Following her passions, she was a member and past president of the Wednesday Music Club, a charter member of the Friday Bridge Club for over 30 years, and a wonderful advocate of the Red Hat Society, a faithful member and chairman of the Johnson County Library Board of Trustees.
The Cook Mount Initiative is a tribute to a woman whose life was very well lived.
