Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson studied at the Royal College of Music, London where he gained diplomas in Singing, Violin and Piano and a London B.Mus Degree. His teachers included Hervey Alan for singing, Antonio Brosa for violin and Herbert Howells and Anthony Milner for harmony.

For nine years he was Director of Music at two schools before being appointed Chief Music Manager for Leeds City Council in 1979. In Leeds he founded and directed the Leeds International Concert Season, at 250 concerts a year, Britain’s largest local authority music programme. During his eight years in the city he was Executive Director of the Leeds International Piano Competition, founder of the Leeds Conductors Competition and Director of the Leeds International Film Festival.

Following his time at Leeds, Michael Johnson became General Manager at St David’s Hall, Cardiff and latterly Chief Executive of Plymouth Pavilions, a major new concert and conference centre in the South West. Since 1994 he has been engaged in a wide range of musical activities including being Director of the Jacqueline de Pré International Cello Competition, sponsorship consultant for IMG Artists and Administrator of the Southwell Minster Music Festival, where for a while he was a Tenor Lay Clerk.

While working in the southwest, Michael Johnson was also Director of the University of Plymouth Choral Society and the South West Chamber Choir. He still directs the West Devon Chorale in four concerts a year in West Devon.

Much of his time presently is spent as an Examiner and overseas Co-ordinator for the Associated Board and he has travelled to all parts of the world on exam tours. He teaches singing, violin and piano for the University of Bath and is Director of West Wiltshire Music Limited. He is also a Mentor for the Associated Board’s CTABRSM and TME courses for teachers in singing, violin and piano.