Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson is originally from Alton, Illinois, and was a student, performer and teacher in that state. She was fortunate to have been in a school system that valued music, both vocal and instrumental, to the highest degree and received a very good musical education, particularly in music theory and orchestral music, and also in theatre. Mrs. Johnson’s first instrument was the double bass and had a private instructor, Harold Eyster. Under his tutelage she began her orchestral playing career at the age of 14. After Mr. Eyster, her instructors included Cyril Stuchlik, Leroy Fritz, Edward Krolick and Warren Benfield of the Chicago Symphony. Performing in the Chicago area in many orchestras and chamber ensembles, as well as recordings at the Columbia Studios, has been a personal highlight in her career. Ms. Johnson has been a public school teacher since 1972 in Illinois, Michigan, and Colorado. She moved to Colorado Springs, with School District Eleven, where she taught at five schools each year in the orchestra area before retiring as a full-time teacher in 2006. After retiring, she continued teaching orchestra at Chipeta Elementary School for an additional 15 years. Mrs. Johnson has received numerous awards and accolades throughout the years for her work with beginning strings, particularly the double bass, and has been a clinician and speaker at conferences. Ms. Johnson was President of the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association beginning in 2010, as well as their webmaster for ten years. She has also worked with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association for several years as their double bass coach for several of their orchestras, and also served on the Board of Directors in the 1990’s. Beginning in 2015, Ms. Johnson served on the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild Board for two terms. A staunch believer in the strength of music, she also is a member of the Pikes Peak Opera League and supports KCME Classic/Jazz Radio.