Gareth Johnson
Strings Enterprises
Creative Resume
Classical Training
Gareth’s musical training began at the St. Louis Community Music School in St. Louis Missouri at the age of ten. Some of his rst private teachers included Gayla Rothermich and Yuly Ilyashov. After studying six months, Gareth’s prodigious talents were recognized with the mastery of the Mendelssohn violin Concerto.
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This eventually led to a visit with the noted Juilliard School of Music teacher Dorothy Delay. For the next two years Gareth was invited to summers studies with Mrs. Delay’s Juilliard team at the Aspen Music Festival. Years later Gareth became a Starling Student where he focused on intense Concerto Studies from Kurt Sassmanshaus (Cincinnati Conservatory of Music) and Dorothy Delay (Juilliard School of Music). During this tenure Gareth toured China and was introduced to the hunger and thirst that dierent cultures have for the music of the Western world. Roland and Almita Vamos, (Northwestern University)ncontinued to technically mold Gareth during his adolescent years. At age sixteen he was recruited to begin collegiate studies from concert violist Sergui Schwartz (Lynn Conservatory, Boca Raton, Florida). He then studied with the esteemed Elmar Oliveira, the only non-Russian to ever win the Tchaikovsky violin competition at that time. Gareth culminated his studies with a Masters of Performance Degree from the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton Florida.
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In addition Gareth has received lessons and/or collaborated with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Pinchas Zuckerman.
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This incredible instructional journey, accompanied by the personal interest from great musicians who truly recognized a musical prodigy, enabled Gareth to step forth as a most convincing master soloist of the violin. He himself became a multi-international competition winner. Audiences are in awe of this incredibly skilled artist.
Performances
As a classical violin soloist, Gareth has performed with major Symphony Orchestra throughout the world, including: Baltimore, Atlanta, Rochester, Annapolis, Little Rock, St. Louis, Seattle, New World, the Boston Pops, and many more. He has been revered in South Africa, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, and the Netherlands. Gareth has extensive repertoire and proven success on stages throughout the world. Rave reviews from New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Times, Palm Beach Posts, etc. have ,Florida, Lessons validated his incredible talent.
Studio and Private Instruction
Gareth maintains studios in Lake Worth Beach, Florida and Wellington, Florida. He is capable of taking students to the highest level and specializes in preparation of students for auditions to highly competitive schools. He also works with beginning students and can provide online lessons and consultations for those in need of special help with certain techniques or interpretations.
Community Enrichment
With advanced scheduling, Gareth is often invited as an artist in residence to local schools, universities, and community organizations for one or more weeks. These programs are often supported through School Districts, Arts Councils, Sponsors, and/or Symphony Orchestras to benet and enrich the community. This often culminates in a local community performance. A typical presentation often includes an introduction to music as a valuable component of societies; how it unites the world and dierent cultures; as well as how various genres of music are worthy of study and of being appreciated. Gareth’s presentations can be customized to t any setting or community; and often encompasses classical, contemporary, jazz, pop, and hip hop music. Since African-Americans represent less than two percent of classical orchestral players, this is an opportunity to showcase diversity as well.
University Level Instruction
Gareth served as artist in residence at Albany State University in Albany Georgia for two years. His specializations include instruction in traditional classical, popular, and hip hop music on the highest level. Gareth is currently developing a video method called “Hip Classical fusion. The violin, traditionally associated with classical music, has the potential to adapt to various genres, including pop and hip-hop. This method seeks to create a curriculum that not only preserves classical techniques but also embraces the expressive and dynamic nature of contemporary music. The goal is to cultivate well-rounded musicians who can appreciate and perform across dierent styles.
Music for Senior Living
Whether a senior living facility, nursing home, hospice, a rehabilitation facility, eldercare, or private residential home; Gareth Johnson can bring special joy, pleasant memories, and smiling entertainment to any setting. Residents feel special as the importance of music in these settings must never be forgotten.
Music for Relaxation and Healing.
The hospital environment, often characterized by clinical detachment and anxiety can be a challenging space for patients and their families. Presently Gareth has a standing engagement at Baptist Health South Florida. Growing up in a health care as well as musical family, Gareth developed an understanding of the relationship of health and music and how they intertwine to benet both patients and healthcare workers. He enjoys this aspect of music as well as any, and is particularly aware of the intensity and uncertainty of the hospital setting.
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Taking healthcare to another level that includes live music to help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of comfort for patients, families, and heathcare workers, must be done respectfully and with consideration. All hospital performances by Gareth have been extremely successful.