A native of the Seattle area, composer Nathan R. Johnson holds degrees from California State University at Long Beach (CSULB) and Biola University, and has had his works performed in the United States, Canada, and Russia. His music is inspired and informed by diverse sources such as folk music, astronomy, literature, and the nature of the Pacific Northwest.
Nathan R. Johnson's orchestral works have been performed by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (Seattle, WA), Bremerton Symphony Orchestra (Bremerton, WA), Biola University Symphony Orchestra and Biola Youth String Orchestra (La Mirada, CA), I Artisti Chamber Orchestra (La Mirada, CA), and Abbotsford Youth Symphony (Abbotsford, BC). His chamber music has received performances by the following Los Angeles-based ensembles: Eclipse Quartet, the Mojave Trio, the Strada Trio, and the Quintessential Winds.
Mr. Johnson has been the recipient of numerous awards, scholarships, and honors, including the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Creative Activity (CSULB, 2010), Provost's Summer Stipend for Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (CSULB, 2009), Paul C. Lindsey III Memorial Scholarship for Composition (CSULB, 2008), and Outstanding Musician of the Year (Biola University, 2007). He won first place in the Washington Music Teachers' Association 2001 Young Composers' Competition (collegiate division) for his trio A Summer's Evening for flute, violin and piano. His work for solo flute, Soundscape, was released on CD by the Island Music Guild (Bainbridge Island, WA).
Nathan R. Johnson received his Masters of Music degree in composition from California State University at Long Beach, studying with Dr. Carolyn Bremer, Dr. Robin Cox, and Dr. Adriana Verdie and working as a graduate assistant (music theory and film music) and as an officer in the CSULB Composers' Guild. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Music degree in composition, magna cum laude, from Biola University; his instructors included Dr. John Browning and Neil Argo.
As an instrumentalist, Nathan R. Johnson has played violin and/or viola in the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra, Kitsap Opera Orchestra, Peninsula Ballet Orchestra, Biola University Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Youth Symphony, and in numerous chamber ensembles, church orchestras, and bands.
Mr. Johnson lives with his wife, Andrea, and their young son, Caleb, in Edmonds, Washington. Aside from music, he enjoys traveling, spending time in the mountains, and reading.
For more Information visit http://nathanjohnsonmusik.wordpress.com/