Michael Johanson’s music reflects a deep interest in bringing together materials drawn from a wide range of styles and approaches, all filtered through a distinctly personal voice. His compositions have been performed at various concerts and festivals throughout the United States and abroad.

Venues at which performances of Mr. Johanson’s music have taken place include St. John’s Smith Square in London, England, the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China, Thai National Theater Recital Hall in Bangkok, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, James Madison University, June in Buffalo, Society of Composers Incorporated, Williams College Chamber Players, Texas Tech University, Western Washington University, the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival, Fear No Music, and the Great Western Horn Symposium in Las Vegas. Ensembles and institutions that have commissioned his works include Trio Bella Voce, the Indiana University New Music Ensemble, the American Friends Service Committee, Indiana University’s Newman Center, Duo Nocturna, and the Oregon Repertory Singers. Awards and fellowships he has received have come from institutions such as the American Music Center, ASCAP, and the MacDowell Colony.  In 2009, Johanson’s composition “Earth Dweller” was awarded the Gil Seeley Prize in Composition, an award given by the Oregon Repertory Singers.

Mr. Johanson holds degrees in composition from the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University. Formerly on the faculties of Indiana State University, Williams College, and Stetson University, he is currently Assistant Professor of Composition and Music Theory and at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He serves as artistic director of Friends of Rain, Lewis & Clark's faculty contemporary music ensemble. 

Professional Biography

department: Music
specialty: composition, theory
website: http://www.michaeljohanson.com

Academic Credentials

D.M. 2004, M.M. 1994 Indiana University

B.M. 1991, 1990 Eastman School of Music