Richie Johnson

Guitar Faculty — Classical

A native of Florida but now based in New York City, Richard Johnson holds a Bachelors of Music from Florida State University, where he was under the tutelage of Bruce Holzman. He has completed his Masters of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with David Leisner.  He has studied and performed alongside guitarists such as Andrew Zohn, Xavier Jara, Alvaro Pierri, and Antigoni Goni, and has performed extensively in places such as Italy and Quebec for competitions and recitals. Richard has also had the privilege to perform with the Venice Symphony, Bradenton Symphony and Manhattan’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Richard is also the recipient of renown scholarships/awards from foundations and organizations such as the Gaston Dufresne Foundation and GuitarSarasota organization. 

Richard has extensive teaching experience, and holds a true passion for guitar pedagogy, as he has written a number of student etudes, exercises and ensemble pieces that have helped his students progress to the next level. He has taught at The Manatee School for the Arts and was director of Guitar Studies at the Suzuki Institute of Music before joining the faculty at the Lindeblad School of Music. In 2018 and 2021, Richard and his students helped raise thousands of dollars by hosting and performing in charity concerts for “Music Heals Us”; an organization that raises money for pediatric cancer patients in the Tampa Bay Area. His students have been recipients of awards and scholarships of the Waffles Foundation of Music, University of Florida and Oberlin Conservatory.

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