Isiah Johnson

Isiah Johnson is a versatile musician with expertise spanning multiple domains of music performance, composition, and education. His multifaceted career demonstrates a profound dedication to his craft and a commitment to musical excellence across various disciplines.

Performance
As an accomplished pianist, Isiah has performed extensively throughout North America and Cuba. His performance resume includes solo recitals, collaborations with instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, and orchestras. His versatility has led him to perform for the HBO documentary on Helen Thomas and maintain a seven-year engagement playing in dinner clubs.

Isiah's expertise as an accompanist is particularly notable in the dance world, where he has improvised music for modern dance, ballet, and improvisation classes. Currently working at the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, he has also accompanied classes for prestigious companies including Washington Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet during their performances at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

As a church musician, Isiah serves in multiple capacities including choir director, music director, pianist, and organist for various denominations. His musical journey in sacred spaces began at age seven, playing for Sunday School classes, and has evolved throughout his career.

Composition
Isiah's compositional work spans multiple genres and contexts. He creates "beats" and background music tracks for dance and songs, and has composed music for theatrical productions including the Washington DC production of Sam Shepherd's "Lie of the Mind." His compositional portfolio also includes works for ballet methods and liturgical songs.

As an electronic musician, Isiah utilizes electronic workstations for composition, live performance, and teaching, demonstrating his adaptability to contemporary music technologies.

Education
Isiah's teaching philosophy embraces students of all ages, from toddlers as young as 18 months to adults in their 80s. He provides instruction in general music, piano at all levels, and rhythm studies. His work as a vocal coach developed naturally from his experiences taking voice lessons and accompanying singers during his music school years and later conducting choirs.

Isiah studied piano with Thomas Schumacher and Dr. Roy Hamlin Johnson at the University of Maryland School of Music, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Embodying the spirit of lifelong learning, he continues his education through courses at the University of Maryland and Berkeley School of Music.