Ellen Johnson has more than 25 years experience as a voice professional. Along with her own distinguished career as a singer she has trained singers in all genres of music in workshops, college and high school classes, recording studio coaching, audition preparation, concert/club performance preparation, and more. In addition Ellen has produced singer projects (recordings, DVDs, etc.) and worked in collaboration with producers, managers, record labels, bands, and songwriters for recording and performance preparation.
For more information about Ellen’s current professional information as a singer and actress go to www.ellenjohnson.net
• 30+ years private vocal instruction, recording studio coaching, producer and
professional vocalist including Masters of Music and Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal
Performance (See Education credits below)
• Expertise in vocal technique, pedagogy, recording/studio session work and a
variety of genres including: commercial music (pop, rock, etc.), jazz, musical
theater and classical
• Currently teaching for the Rubicon Theater's Summer Youth Program, Iced Pita Music Lessons, and private coaching.
Music Faculty in past:
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- University of San Diego
- Old Globe Theater MFA program
- Southwestern College
- Long Beach City College
- Portland Community College
- Cerritos College (full time assistant professor)
- Jefferson School of Performing Arts
Clinics/Master Classes/Workshops/Panels:
- University of Southern California
- San Diego State University
- California State University Northridge
- Bradley University (Illinois)
- Portland State University
- Point Loma Nazarene College (San Diego)
- Skyline College (San Francisco)
- Clackamas Community College (Oregon)
- California State University Los Angeles
- California State University Long Beach
- IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, New York)
- NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing conferences)
- Jazz Improv Live Festival/Conference. (New York)
Published Educational Books and Online Methods:
- The Vocal Warm Up CD/Downloads: (for Male and Female Voices)
- Vocal Builders: Steps for Improving Ear Training and Singing
- You Sing Jazz: Downloadable Jazz Tracks for Singers
Education:
PHD Program, Integral Studies Expressive Arts, University of Humanistic
Studies, Solana Beach, CA
Masters of Music, Vocal Performance, San Diego State University, San
Diego, CA
Bachelors of Music, Vocal Performance, American Conservatory of Music,
Chicago, IL
UCLA Extension: Courses in Music Business Certificate Program,
University of California, and Los Angeles, CA
American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS), Graz, Austria
Private Studies, Workshops & Clinics:
6 Years Alexander Training with Ari Gil
Past Vocal teachers include: Mary Mackenzie, Roland Wyatt, Marni Nixon, Elizabeth
Howard, Irma Cooper, George Shirley, Nico Castel, Mignon Dunn, & Wilma Osheim
Jazz Master Classes and private instruction with: Betty Carter, Bobby McFerrin, Sheila
Jordan, Art Blakey, Mark Murphy, Jay Clayton, Gene Aiken, John Clayton, Willie
Pickens, John Collins, Harold J. Jones, Rick Helzer, Kim Richmond
Acting experience & classes – Click Here for more info
Awards, Grants and Outstanding Achievements:
• Preliminary Nomination for 50th Grammy Awards, Best Jazz Vocal Album “These Days”, 2007
• Featured Artist in Downbeat Magazine 2007
• Chosen as top three Jazz Vocalists for 2006 (along with Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves) by
Arnaldo De Souteiro of the Tribuna Bis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Grant, Public Corporation for the Arts, Long Beach Neighborhood Grant for Jazz Jubilee and
Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship Award, September 2006
• “Vocal Health and Wealth” panel with renowned ENT Dr. Hans Von Leden, California State
University, Los Angeles Department of Music, 2005
• Outstanding Service to Jazz Education, IAJE Certificate of Appreciation, 31st Annual IAJE
International Convention, New York, NY 2004
• Sponsorship with Remo Drums, Phonic, Discmakers, Audio-Technical, and Singer Magazine
for Jazz Vocal Coalition event during the IAJE Conference, January 2005
• Sponsorship with Jet Blue Airlines and Bose Corporation for Jazz Vocal Coalition educational
event during IAJE Convention, January 2004
• Long Beach Jazz Search semi finalist, 2003, Long Beach, CA
• Music Connection Magazine, Hot 100 Unsigned Artists as determined by A& R scouts,
publicists, journalists, club bookers, and industry professionals, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Jazz Vocal Coalition, nor profit jazz organization founding member and President, 2003-2006
• Just Plain Folks 2002 Music Awards (song writing for “Chinchilla Serenade”)
• Who’s Who of America’s Teachers” 2002
• Outstanding Faculty Advisor for Music Club (2001, 2000) Cerritos College
• American Traditions Competition, 1995 Finalist.
• Nominated Best Mainstream Jazz CD and Artist, San Diego Music Awards, 1994, 1995
• Cadence Magazine, Editors Choice, 1994 for “Too Good To Title” CD
• Scholarship, Sweet Adelines, 1990
• Scholarship, San Diego State University, 1989
• Grant Recipient, Oregon Arts Commission, for jazz video, May 23 1985
• Scholarship, American Institute of Musical Studies, 1984