Biography

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Praised for his interpretive sensitivity, imaginative programming, and ability to make classical music speak to all kinds of audiences, Canadian pianist Carter Johnson is quickly establishing a reputation as one of his generation’s most gifted and multi-faceted pianists. The silver medalist in the 2024 Gina Bachauer Competition, his most recent competition victories include first prizes in international competitions such as the 2023 Concours Hauts-de-France, the 2021 International Competition of Polish Music, the 2020 Valsesia International Competition and the 2023 Weatherford College International Competition. Three other competition prizes include the award for the most promising pianist not proceeding to the final in the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition, the best performance of the commissioned work in the 2024 Gina Bachauer Competition,  and a special finalist prize in the 2023 Walter Naumburg Competition. Johnson rose to prominence in his home country when in 2018 he was declared the winner of two of Canada’s most important competitions, garnering both the grand prize in the OSM Competition and the first prize in the CMC Stepping Stone competition.

Johnson has performed with orchestras including the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Utah Symphony, the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Americas, and his playing has been broadcasted by CBC Radio and medici.tv. Venues in which he has performed concertos or solo recitals include the Maison Symphonique, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the Music Shed at Norfolk, the Shenzhen Concert Hall, and the Warsaw National Philharmonic Hall.

Born in 1996 on Vancouver Island, Canada, Johnson began the study of piano at age 5 with Shelley Roberts, with whom he had the privilege of studying both performance and pedagogy for over 12 years. After continuing his studies with Michelle Mares, he completed a Bachelor of Music with Mark Anderson at the University of British Columbia. He then received a Master of Music from the Juilliard School under the direction of Joseph Kalichstein and Matti Raekallio, and continued to the Yale School of Music, where he completed a Master of Musical Arts with Wei-Yi Yang and is currently there completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.

Equally at home in the worlds of solo, concerto, chamber, and vocal music, Johnson has a particular interest in bringing light to lesser-explored parts of the repertory, most recently championing a collection of works by nearly-forgotten Polish composers. In addition to the music of J.S. Bach and Robert Schumann, where he feels most at home, he is a special advocate for the music of composers such as Fauré, Ives, Hindemith, Poulenc, Shostakovich, and Messiaen. His secondary instrument work has included studies in oboe, voice, and harpsichord. An avid connoisseur of art song, he also has experience as a vocal coach and is enthusiastic about languages.

Trained in elocution as a teenager, Johnson holds an ATCL with distinction in speech and drama from Trinity College London, and he regularly brings this expertise to his recitals in his discussions on the music that is being played — for many audiences, these continue to be a highlight of his performances. This skill was recognized in the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition, where he was awarded the Best Program Presentation in the Semifinal for his program design and verbal introductions. 

Johnson currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut with his wife Hannah and their young boys Preston and Ambrose, where he maintains a busy schedule as a concert artist, student, and teacher. In his spare time, he and Hannah enjoy both cooking together and watching good films, and spending time outside with their boys enjoying the charms of New England.