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Matt Johnson (pianist/composer)

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Born: October 25, 1961; Sherman, Texas, United States
Genres: Neo-Romantic, Jazz, New Age, Classical, Sacred, Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s): Musician, Pianist, Composer, Teacher, Engraver, Publisher
Instruments: Piano, organ, handbells, percussion
Years Active: 1977-present
Labels: Dolce & Nuit Productions, Critique Records/BMG
Works: List of Compositions
ISNI: 0000 0004 6875 3420
Website: www.MattJohnsonMusic.com

Matt Johnson (born October 25, 1961) is an American pianist, composer, teacher, engraver and publisher.

Johnson is known mostly for his original compositions, having released 60 recordings (1) in the jazz, new age, classical and contemporary instrumental genres. His musical works for piano, orchestra, vocal choirs, instrumental ensembles and handbell choirs are published by Dolce & Nuit Productions (DNP). Johnson is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) (2) and began his career as a private music teacher in 1977 (3). His unique International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) number is 0000 0004 6875 3420, (4) which disambiguates him from other artists using the same name.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
|    Contents
|    1. Biography
|    1.1 Early Years
|    1.2 Education
|    1.3 Dolce & Nuit Productions (DNP)
|    1.4 Career
|    2. Discography
|    3. List of Compositions
|    4. References
|    5. External Links
|_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

BIOGRAPHY

Early Years
Matt Johnson was born October 25, 1961 in Sherman, Texas and began formal piano lessons at the age of 6. Music lessons, recitals, piano competitions and playing for church dominated his formative years. Johnson's first compositions date back to his high school days.

Education
Johnson earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, Oklahoma) in 1984 (5). He studied piano with Dr. Ronald Lewis and composition with Dr. Nancy Hill Cobb. He then completed a Master of Music degree in Composition and Jazz Studies, with a Distinction in Performance, from New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, Massachusetts) in 1987 (6) with tutelage from pianist, Seymour Lipkin, and composer, William Thomas McKinley.

Dolce & Nuit Productions (DNP)
During his time at New England Conservatory, Johnson began performing and promoting his original music. In 1985, he created Dolce & Nuit Productions (7) which continues to exclusively publish his musical and creative works. According to his website, the company’s name memorializes Johnson’s two cats, Dolce and Nuit, while the company logo depicts both cats sitting together (8). Johnson’s first album, A Quiet Moment featured Nuit on the cover picture and was highlighted in Cat Fancy Magazine in August, 1986 (9).

Career
Johnson’s career has focused on recording, performing and publishing original compositions and arrangements. He has written music for piano, orchestra, vocal and handbell choirs, vocalists and jazz ensembles. His music has ventured into different niches—i.e., classical, popular, jazz, contemporary instrumental, chamber music and Contemporary Christian. Johnson is a composer member of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Dolce & Nuit Productions is a publisher member.

Since 1977, Johnson has derived his livelihood primarily through teaching music students. In addition to his private studio, he held faculty positions at the Performing Arts School (10) (Worcester, Massachusetts) and North Shore Community College (11) in Lynn, Massachusetts. Johnson is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (2) through Music Teachers National Association and taught piano and presented workshops for several semesters at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.
While working towards his Master’s degree, Johnson played at the Colonial Hilton (12)—providing “covers” and originals as dinner music—and turned that “gig” into 12 years of employment.
For more than 30 years, Johnson also served as Director of Music for multiple churches where he not only played the organ and piano for all services, but also conducted the vocal and handbell choirs, as well as leading/playing with the worship bands.
Johnson has worked as an engraver, arranger and editor for many music publishing companies—e.g., Great Commissions Publications, Crown & Covenant (13), FJH Music, Lifeway Christian Resources—having honed those skills while crafting his own musical scores.
As a working musician, Johnson regularly accompanies chorales and soloists at concert events, adjudicates at music festivals and competitions and continues to play for wedding ceremonies.
Johnson has shared his musical expertise through written articles appearing in TODAY'S Parent (2004) (14) and DRW Magazine (2017) (15). He has presented workshops at Berklee College of Music (16), the Florida State Music Teachers Annual Conferences (2010) (17) and (2012) (18) and the Texas Music Teachers Association Annual Conference (2013) (19). His private studio and teaching philosophy were highlighted in a review article published by Florida State Homes (2017) (20).
His original music has been featured on Paramount’s syndicated Hard Copy (1995) (21), the Public Service Announcement Don’t Be a Litterbug! (1990) (22), the film Out of Balance (2007) (23) featuring Jessica Barth, choreographed by the Granite State Ballet Company (1988) (24) and programmed by background music service providers, e.g., Muzak, 3M, AEI Music, Sirius Satellite Radio.
Johnson’s creative works are freely available through his website.

• Surrender - (2019)

• We Have Toys Out Here - (2019)

• Chopstix - (2019)

• New Life - (2019)

• Opening - (2019)

• Early Reflections - (2019)

• Every Time I Feel the Spirit - (2019)

• Christmas Carol Medley - (2019)

• Choctaw - (2019)

• Silent Night - (2019)

• Hot Cup of Tea - (2020)

• Broadway - (2020)

• We Gather Together - (2020)

• Come, Ye Thankful People, Come - (2020)

• Surprise Postlude - (2020)

• Conversations (Remastered) - (2020)

• Something About the Moon (Remastered) - (2020)

• Origins (Remastered) - (2020)

• End of a Day (Remastered) - (2020)

• A Quiet Moment (Remastered) - (2020)

• Shipwreck - (2020)

• Elusive Island of Gone - (2020)

• Echoes…Before They Fade - (2020)

• Sitting Beside You - (2020)

• My Own Compass - (2020)

• Night in a Manger - (2020)

• She Didn't Mean To - (2020)

• Slow Build - (2020)

• World Communion Handbells - (2020)
• Adam's Theme - 2020
• Do You Hear What I Hear? - 2020
• Noel Trilogy - 2020
• LNA - 2020
• Opus Español - 2020
• Handbell Processional - 2020
• Laughed - 2021
• The First Noel - 2021
• Strange Pulling - 2021
• Brells - 2021
• A Baker's Dozen: The Handbell Works of Matt Johnson - 2021

LIST OF COMPOSITIONS
Further information: see List of Compositions by Matt Johnson—chronological order (create Wikipedia sub-page and link)

Johnson’s musical compositions are published by Dolce & Nuit Productions (DNP)—in a variety of musical forms and genres. The piano is prominently featured in most of his works—as a solo, with a varied ensemble of instruments, or background to Johnson's narrations. During his career as Director of Music at various churches, he often composed and arranged for the vocal choirs, handbell choirs and worship bands he conducted.

Further information about genres, see List of Compositions by Matt Johnson—by genre (create Wikipedia sub-page and link)

REFERENCES
01. MusicBrainz - Matt Johnson Discography
02. Nationally Certified Teacher of Music - certificate