The Official Website of Australian Pianist and Pedagogue Daniel Johnson
Biography of Daniel Johnson
Pianist Daniel Johnson has been described by Yamaha Australia as "masterful and insightful". He was lauded as a "a true pianist", and his Chopin playing "stunning" by the late, internationally renowned concert pianist, Dr. Marilyn Meier. Born and raised in Mount Isa, Daniel began piano lessons locally with Pam Breen. After winning the Yamaha Keyboard Award for Queensland and the Yamaha Most Outstanding Performer of the year in 2000, he commenced studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Oleg Stepanov and Dr. Diane Selmon. He then continued studies at the School of Creative Arts, University of Southern Queensland with concert pianists Wendy Lorenz, Renate Turini, Dr. Marilyn Meier, and at the conclusion of his degree with Helen Smith.
Daniel is a well-respected performer and adjudicator giving masterclasses, examining, and lecturing for various music competitions, conferences, and eisteddfods across Australia. He has broadcast live recitals for the MBS network as part of the City Hall Recital Series in Brisbane and the New Sounds Recital Series at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. As a pedagogue, he regularly assists teachers in elevating their teaching to support advancing pupils (grades 5-8) and exceptionally gifted students (diploma and tertiary performance candidates). He has presented research papers for international conferences such as the Inaugural Messiaen International Conference and has been invited each year since 2009 to present research and perform at the World Piano Conference in Novi Sad, Serbia.
An advocate for Australian composers, Daniel has focused most of his academic research on teaching and performing the vocal, chamber, symphonic, and instrumental works of composer Miriam Hyde. He has piano works dedicated to him by Australian composers, Phillip Wilcher (Pirouettes, 5 Nocturnes for Left Hand Alone), Anthony Moles (Tree of Life), and has given world premieres of piano works written for him by American composer, Forrest Starling (Nocturne for Piano). He has just finished recording the second volume of the piano music of Dr. Nicole Murphy for Wirripang.
Daniel has worked as a syllabus consultant for Catholic Education Queensland, and currently serves as a vice president, mentor, and the artistic director of The Marilyn Meier Chopin Award with the Queensland Music Teachers Association (QMTA). He holds performance diplomas from Trinity College (London), ABRSM, and the AMEB where he works as an examiner for piano and Rockschool.
Daniel has a Master of Music majoring in piano performance and analysis with distinction from the University of Queensland where he studied with Professor Max Olding. He has been a casual lecturer in music theory at The University of Queensland, and teaches piano at St. Peter’s Lutheran College. When he isn’t busy practicing, he is working with students at his private studio The Artistry Labs: an audition-based program for advanced musicians in Brisbane.