Patrick Johnson

(he/him)

Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Patrick Johnson is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the Michigan State University College of Music.

He utilizes his dual expertise as a concert pianist and a music theorist to engage his students artistically and intellectually. In 2018, he received the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Award for Excellence in Teaching from the MSU College of Music. He teaches courses in the undergraduate theory cycle and in piano literature, as well as graduate courses in form, counterpoint, performance and analysis, and galant style. His research interests also include music theory pedagogy, and he has written a chapter in the forthcoming Routledge Companion to Music Theory Pedagogy.

Johnson is an active solo and collaborative pianist. An avid orchestral musician, he is principal pianist for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Philharmonic. He has performed as soloist with the Michigan Philharmonic on several occasions. He also serves as pianist for the ConTempus Initiative contemporary-music ensemble, based in mid-Michigan. He has appeared with the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, as well as on chamber-music series and in solo recitals throughout Michigan.

Johnson received a Bachelor of Musical Arts in piano performance, with high honors, from the University of Michigan. He holds a Master of Music in music theory, and both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from Michigan State University, where he was awarded the Excellence-in-Teaching Citation as a graduate teaching assistant.