Emma Isabella Johnson, a Colorado native, began studying violin at age four. She currently is a student of Almita Vamos, Ilya Kaler and Olga Kaler at the Cleveland Institute of Music (’24). Other influential teachers include Jan Sloman, Margaret Pressley, Naoko Tanaka, and Shannon Lee. Emma made her solo debut at age 14 with the Littleton Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed with the Pikes Peak Philharmonic, the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, the Loveland Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, as winner of their Young Artist Solo Competitions. Emma was recently a national finalist in the 2023 MTNA Young Artist String Competition. Emma is a former roster member and scholarship recipient of the Colorado Young Musician’s Foundation and is a prizewinner in competitions, including the MTNA West Central Regional Division Competition and the Jefferson International Young Artist Competition. As a Regional Winner and National Finalist in the Stillman Kelley Instrumental Competition, Emma was honored to be featured in the National Federation of Music Club’s 100th Anniversary Gala. As a chamber musician, Emma has performed in the Cleveland Museum of Art Gala Performance Series, Philip Setzer and Friends Faculty Recital and community outreach performances throughout Cleveland. Summer studies have included the Aspen Music Festival and Bowdoin International Music Festival.

Emma is the recipient of the Dr. Stephen Fudell Memorial Scholarship Endowment, The Edwin L. Bullock Scholarship, and The Reed Family Scholarship.