Aubrey Johnson

Instructor

Affiliated Departments

617-747-8092

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Aubrey Johnson is a New York City–based vocalist, composer, and educator who specializes in jazz, Brazilian, and creative contemporary music. In addition to her faculty position in the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music, she teaches in the jazz voice programs at Queens College and Montclair State University.

Johnson previously was director of the vocal jazz ensemble at the New England Conservatory. She recorded on Bobby McFerrin’s 2010 Grammy-nominated release, VOCAbuLaries. She has performed with the Lyle Mays Quartet, Jimmy Cobb, John Patitucci, Janis Siegel, and Fred Hersch. Her performing and teaching has taken her throughout the United States and Canada, as well as to Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Johnson’s debut record featuring her original music and arrangements, produced by Steve Rodby of the Pat Metheny Group, will be released in early 2019.

Courses Taught (2)

Private Instruction - Voice: All Levels

PIVC-XXX

Recital Preparation: Voice - All Levels

RPVC-XXX

Career Highlights

Recording artist on Inner Circle Music
Performances with Lyle Mays, Jimmy Cobb, Darmon Meader, John Zorn’s Mycale Vocal Quartet, and Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra
Performances as composer/arranger/bandleader of the Aubrey Johnson Group at many venues in New York City and Boston
Ensemble singer on Bobby McFerrin’s Grammy-nominated album VoCAbuLaries, and Joe Phillips’s album Changing Same
Featured guest vocalist on Jason Yeager’s albums Ruminations, Affirmation, and All-at-Onceness; Steven Kirby’s album Illuminations, and Rene Pfister’s album Alice In Wonderland: The Storybook Album
Multiple master classes throughout Europe with Czech, Spanish, and Portuguese bands
Studied with Danilo Pérez, Dominique Eade, Allan Chase, Jerry Bergonzi, and Jerry Leake
Chosen for the 2018 Ucross Foundation Residency Program

Awards

DownBeat’s Best Collegiate Jazz Vocalist (2008) and Outstanding College Performance, Jazz Voice (2007, 2010)

In Their Own Words

“One of my main goals for my students is to impart to them a deeper understanding of vocal technique, as well as methods for implementing that technique into any genre of singing they choose. I also aim to nurture their unique voice, talents, skills, musical tastes, learning style, and personality, in order to help them grow into the most complete, original, and well-rounded musician they can be. I hope to instill in them a sense of empowerment and self-motivation, a great work ethic, a positive and professional attitude and manner, and an entrepreneurial spirit.”

“As someone who has been performing professionally for over 15 years in a wide variety of styles, and as a bandleader, as a side person, as a studio singer, as a choral ensemble member, and more, I feel I can really meet a student where they’re at in terms of stylistic preference and personal career goals. In addition to being a singer, I’m a composer, arranger, improviser, and pianist, which are all skills that I offer to my students in private lessons and classes, if it interests them. Lastly, as someone who has had to regularly adapt to many different professional situations and styles of music, I am well-equipped to teach my students the skills they need to be viable professionals in the ever-changing world of music.”