YourClassical

Minnesota Varsity: Where Are They Now? - Henry Johnston, Guitar

Henry Johnston and Friends
Left to right: Alan Johnston (Henry's dad and guitar teacher), Xavier Jara (fellow 2011 Varsity Artist, who is now studying in Paris with the next fellow in the pic), Judicael Perroy, and Henry is on the far right. Alan and Henry were in Paris visiting Xavier.
Courtesy of the Artist

Where Are They Now? spotlights Minnesota Varsity Featured and Showcase Artists from 2011 and 2012! It's been fun catching up with them to ask what they're doing now and what they remember and value most about their Minnesota Varsity experience. We're pleased to share their inspiring stories with you, and we're proud of every student across the state who's entered Minnesota Varsity and shared their music-making with us and with their friends, families, and communities. Will you be one of 2013's Featured Artists? Start now.

Today, a visit with Henry Johnston:
2011 Showcase Artist
Age: 15
Hometown: St. Paul
Student at: St. Paul Central High School

Last season, Henry played Manuel Ponce's Concerto for Guitar with the Century Chamber Orchestra. He also performed a recital in Excelsior, Minn. at the Trinity Episcopal Concert Series in collaboration with a fellow Minnesota Varsity alum, flutist Karen Baumgartner.

Henry is interested in pursuing a career as a guitarist, and when he completes high school in 2015 is considering applying to the newly-established guitar program at the Curtis Institute, headed by Jason Vieaux and David Starobin.

Since January of 2012, he has been traveling twice a month to New Ulm, Minn., where he studies with Jason Vieaux's former teacher, John Holmquist, retired professor of guitar from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Composer Ian Krouse of Los Angeles is currently writing a new solo piece for Henry.

Henry continues to play baseball; his team finished third in the State Babe Ruth league tournament this past season.

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