Karrell J. Johnson received his Bachelor's degree in viola from the University of Texas at Austin and his Master's Degree in music education from the University of Illinois in Urbana. His major viola studies have been with Albert Gillis, Paul Rolland, and John Garvey. Mr. Johnson studied orchestral conducting with Alexander Von Kreisler and Bernard Goodman.
His public school teaching began in Wichita Falls, Texas and continued in Freeport, Texas, where he implemented the orchestra program in the Brazosport School District. Mr. Johnson was on the faculty at the University of Georgia from 1969 to 1973 teaching applied viola, chamber music, music education, string pedagogy and conducting. He was the violist in the University of Georgia Faculty String Quartet, Faculty Baroque Ensemble, and also served as associate conductor of the University Symphony.
Mr. Johnson's extensive background as a soloist and ensemble performer includes performances in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, California, and New York. Mr. Johnson has performed the Walton viola concerto with the Shreveport Symphony as winner of the Shreveport Symphony Competition and has performed chamber music in Carnegie Hall.
From 1973 to 1989 he served as Director of Fine Arts in the Dallas Independent School District, and from 1989 to 1999 held the position of String Division Manager for Brook Mays Music Company. During the 1995-96 Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra season, Mr. Johnson was named interim Artistic Director and Conductor.
Johnson is an active member of Texas Music Educator's Association (Vice President and Orchestra Division Chairman 1977-79), American String Teachers Association (President Texas Chapter 1976-78), and Texas Orchestra Director's Association exemplifying strong support and leadership in Music Education. Mr. Johnson has served on the faculty of the University of North Texas in String Education since 1996 and is Director of the University String Project. As a conductor of All-State and All-Region Orchestras, violist, educator, clinician and adjudicator, Johnson is highly respected throughout the United States.
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