MEET THE MUSICIANS

CONTRABASS CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

Christopher Johnson started playing the bass at age 7 with Helen Stevenson, a teacher from Project S.T.E.P. (string training educational program). This is a program that classically trains children of color to play stringed instruments. He received his Bachelors in Music performance at New England Conservatory with Don Palma and continued to his Masters in the Orchestral Performance Program at The Manhattan School Of Music with Timothy Cobb.

Christopher also plays in the bass section in the New Haven Symphony and is principal bass of the bass section in Philharmonic of the Americas. In November 2007 and October 2008 he was a substitute bass in the New World Symphony in Miami. November 2008 Christopher was a substitute bass on the final UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra Tour to Milan, Luzern, Berlin, and Madrid.

Christopher has had the pleasure of playing with phenomenal conductors and soloist such as Yo-Yo Ma, Kurt Masur, Pinchas Zukerman, Joseph Silverstein, as well as pop stars such as Kenny G, Patty Labelle, Gloria Estafan, and Carlos Santana.  His career goal is to be accepted into a top orchestra and to collaborate with other great musicians as well as children so he can give back what Project S.T.E.P. gave to him.