Janis grew to love youth choir ministry while singing with the Celebration Singers at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Her music degrees are from Anderson College University and The University of Georgia, where she last studied with Dr. Mitos Andaya. She has worked in music ministry for 28 years in Athens, Georgia, serving for ten years at Friendship Christian Church, and for the past 18 years at Athens First United Methodist Church as Director of Youth Music Ministry and Organist.

The AFUMC Youth Music Ministry incorporates a 5^th-6^th grade choir, a 7^th-12^th grade choir, a high school ensemble, and a youth praise team. All choirs sing in worship, sing in the community, take part in an annual Variety Show Fundraiser, and tour annually.

Janis is married to Mark Maxwell, and they have three grown children – Rush, Morgan, and Brooks.