One of the most exciting solo artists of his generation, Joseph Johnson is currently in his debut season as the principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a post he most recently held with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

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Be sure to hear all of Joseph Johnson’s 2012 Festival performances listed below

Sunday, July 15, 2012, 6:00 PM at St. Francis Auditorium
Helen Grime / Dohnányi / Brahms

Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:00 PM at St. Francis Auditorium
Helen Grime / Dohnányi / Brahms

Saturday, July 21, 2012, 5:00 PM at St. Francis Auditorium
Bach Plus

Saturday, August 4, 2012, 5:00 PM at St. Francis Auditorium
Bach Plus

Saturday, August 11, 2012, 5:00 PM at The Lensic Performing Arts Center
Bach Plus

Sunday, August 19, 2012, 6:00 PM at The Lensic Performing Arts Center
Zdenek Fibich / Elgar

One of the most exciting solo artists of his generation, Joseph Johnson is currently in his debut season as the principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a post he most recently held with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  He continues as principal cellist of the Santa Fe Opera and, during the 2008-2009 season, served as guest principal cellist of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

Highlights of Joseph Johnson’s current season include a trio of concerto performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as well as engagements with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Ohio Valley Symphony and the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

Prior to his Milwaukee appointment, Joseph Johnson was a member of the Minnesota Orchestra cello section for eleven years, during which time he performed numerous chamber music works during the orchestra’s Sommerfest, both as cellist and pianist.  He was a founding member of both the Prospect Park Players and the Minneapolis Quartet, the latter of which was honored with The McKnight Foundation Award in 2005.

Joseph Johnson has been heard throughout the United States as a soloist, chamber musician and educator.  His festival appearances include performances in all classical genres at the American festivals of Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Bard, Cactus Pear, Caramoor, Grand Teton, Music in the Vineyards, Brazil’s Virtuosi International Festival of Music and Japan’s Pacific Music Festival.  Mr. Johnson has a special relationship with the culture and people of Russia, dating to his 1997 tour as soloist with the American Russian Youth Orchestra, during which he played Barber’s Cello Concerto in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, and Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall.  He returned to Russia frequently, leading master classes at the Tchaikovsky School of Music and performing recital.

Joseph Johnson recently completed a special recording project with the G. Schirmer Instrumental Library: The Cello Collection.  Published in three volumes by Hal Leonard and featuring companion recordings by Mr. Johnson, this project presents cello literature appropriate for recitals and contests.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Joseph Johnson earned his master’s degree from Northwestern University.  Awards and honors include a performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music and first prize from the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition.  A gifted and inspiring teacher, he has conducted master classes at the New World Symphony, the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.

Mr. Johnson performs on a magnificent Juan Guillami cello, crafted in 1747 in Barcelona.