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Composer  

 

Jenny Olivia Johnson is a contemporary classical music composer, performer, and scholar. She was born in 1978 in California, and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a composer, so music was always a part of her life. Johnson began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Johnson attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the Yale School of Music, and a Ph.D. in music composition from the Princeton University Department of Music. Throughout her career, Johnson has composed a wide range of works, including chamber music, orchestral music, and electronic music. Her compositions often explore themes of memory, loss, and identity, and she draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including literature, film, and visual art. One of Johnson's most notable works is her chamber opera, "The End of Summer," which premiered in 2014 at the Prototype Festival in New York City. The opera tells the story of a family dealing with the aftermath of a tragic accident, and features a haunting score that blends acoustic and electronic elements. The opera received critical acclaim, with The New York Times calling it "a work of great beauty and emotional power." Another notable work by Johnson is her piece "Don't Look Back," which was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra and premiered in 2017. The piece is a tribute to the late musician and composer Pauline Oliveros, and features a unique combination of acoustic instruments and electronic sounds. The piece was praised for its innovative use of technology and its ability to create a sense of space and atmosphere. In addition to her work as a composer, Johnson is also an accomplished performer. She has performed as a guitarist and bassist in a variety of settings, including rock bands and experimental music ensembles. Her experience as a performer has influenced her approach to composition, and she often incorporates elements of improvisation and experimentation into her works. Johnson is also a respected scholar in the field of musicology. She has published articles and book chapters on a variety of topics, including the music of John Cage and the intersection of music and technology. Her research has been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, including a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities. Overall, Jenny Olivia Johnson is a versatile and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the field of contemporary classical music. Her works are characterized by their emotional depth, technical skill, and willingness to experiment with new sounds and technologies. As she continues to create new works and push the boundaries of classical music, she is sure to remain a prominent figure in the world of contemporary music for years to come.

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