Johnson Music Studio holds recital

Jerry Johnson and his students recently held a recital in Mozart Hall. Photos by Ross Haney.

Jerry Johnson – local pianist and organist – has been teaching private piano lessons since the 1988 founding of his private music studio. Based in Carlisle, Johnson teaches private piano, voice, and guitar to students of all ages. On Thursday, May 18, Johnson held a recital to showcase many phenomenal young musicians of his piano studio in the beautiful Mozart Hall above Carlisle’s Neal Welcome Center.

This recital included performances by musicians Calissa Sexton, Emma Minton, Riley Hall, Jessie Carpenter, Eli Hughes, Hannah Turner, Morgan Broderick, Zoe Livingood, Anna Barbee, Farris Herrington, and McKenna Rice. Selections included works by Warner, Davis, Mason, Nettleingham, Faber, Arien, Williams, Greig, Kuffner, Mendelssohn, Poddany, Groff, Brahms, Mozart, Foster, Chopin, and Beethoven. The recital even featured a special performance of “Amazing Grace” and “Autumn Leaves” by Jerry Johnson. This recital served as a celebration of the hall’s newly donated piano that has recently been tuned up to playing capability.

Jerry Johnson has had a long career teaching music in Carlisle after receiving his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Kentucky. Johnson currently serves as the music director at the Carlisle Presbyterian Church, where he directs the choir and provides accompaniment and special music on the piano and organ. In addition, he continues a career as a polished performer, private instructor, and accompanist. His contribution to Carlisle as a music educator over the course of his teaching cannot be understated.

Johnson’s impact on his students through music was evident on Thursday night, as the young musicians played with grace and respect for the art. Following the recital, Johnson celebrated each student’s success with an award for their hard work throughout the school year. All of these young performers should be congratulated on weeks of practice and dedication to perfecting their music for the 2017 Summer Recital, and improving the musical skills they will hopefully continue to develop in the years to come.