Jillian Johnson is a violinist whose journey has taken her around the United States, from the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. Career highlights include performing with the Grammy Award-winning sextet Eighth Blackbird and the American Pops Orchestra, as well as at the New York Philharmonic Biennial. Her new music credits include concerts with CLUTCH, Austin New Music Co-Op, Less Than 10 Music, and Density512, and classical orchestras with which she has performed include the Central Texas Philharmonic, Victoria Symphony, Henderson Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony, and Symphony of Westchester.

A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Jillian received a full scholarship to complete her B.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Texas at Austin with Brian Lewis and the Miró Quartet. She is currently pursuing her M.M. at New York University, where she studies with Giora Schmidt, and teaches as a graduate Adjunct Faculty member for Non-Major violin students. A prolific educator, Jillian has taught with the UT String Project, Austin Harmony Youth Chamber Orchestra, Grace Academy of Music Education, the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians, and the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra. She has completed Suzuki training and Certification in Books 1-3 with Ann Montzka-Smelser, Dr. Laurie Scott, and Edmund Sprunger. Other primary teachers include Shakeh Ghoukasian, Ara Sarkissian, and James Buswell.

Over the summers, Jillian has participated in the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Ascent Chamber Music Festival, Orford Music Academy, and Center Stage Strings. Jillian has been featured as a soloist with the Las Vegas Young Artists Academy Orchestra and the Nevada School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra, and she was selected for masterclasses for Rachel Barton Pine, Phillipe Quint, Peter Herresthal, Oleh Krysa, Philip Setzer, among others.

Jillian is currently performing on a Paul Belin violin, which is generously loaned to her by Dr. David Chou. When she’s not performing or teaching, Jillian enjoys playing video games and spending time with her friends and family.