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“Ellen Johnson is an exciting performer, a knowledgeable teacher and an
effective clinician.”
- Mary Mackenzie, Director of Vocal Pedagogy, San Diego State University and former
National Vice-President of NATS
“Over the last fourteen years I have had the immense pleasure of
collaborating with Ellen Johnson in a number of professional and educational
venues. I have seen her inspire many students with her passion for, and
knowledge of the music. Any serious vocal student under her tutelage will
blossom artistically and expressively.”
– Rick Helzer, Professor and Associate Director of Jazz Studies, San Diego State University
"Because we are a classical theater training program, many of our students
arrive with little or no formal training in singing. Ellen is an ideal singing
instructor for our students. Versed in a number of vocal genres, she is not
only knowledgeable, clear and demanding, but also deeply compassionate
and patient. Her ability to teach effectively at a variety of levels is most
impressive. Her careful work with many of our “non-singers’ is often as
fruitful and rewarding as her work with some of the more experienced
students. Our students have been unanimous in their praise of her teaching
skills and professionalism, and her faculty evaluations have been consistently
outstanding."
– Richard Seer, Director Old Globe Theater MFA Program
“I highly recommend Ellen as a musician, singer, and teacher. She has the
skill and knowledge to teach many different styles of singing to students of all
ages and levels. She understands proper vocal technique, and is able to
translate her knowledge of vocal pedagogy to all styles of singing. She has
wonderful energy and her teaching is positive, encouraging, and
constructive.”
- Christine Helferich, Vocal Chair, Jazz Studies Department at California State University
Long Beach
"Ellen Johnson really gets to the heart of the music when she teaches. I find
this missing in today's jazz educators. She would be an asset to any student
or school interested in the wonderful music of jazz because she sings it, she supports it and she loves it."
- Sheila Jordan, legendary jazz vocalist and educator
"Her abilities as a professional vocalist are outstanding. I definitely consider
her an artist in the highest sense. Add to this the fact that Ellen is a good
communicator and teacher, one that sincerely endeavors to help and educate
the students at the highest level. She knows how to explain what she does,
and her ability to discern what the student needs is significant."
– Kim Richmond, professional jazz musician and adjunct professor at USC
"Ellen Johnson is one of those people I have worked with professionally and
she definitely knows how to work with people too! She is a talented and
skilled performer and to be blunt, one hell of a teacher."
– Mark Massey, professional pianist and educator
“Ellen Johnson brings many years of experience and dedication to her craft,
whether she’s performing or teaching.”
- John Stowell, internationally acclaimed guitarist
“The fact that Ellen Johnson is also a teacher helps ensure the continuation
of the art of jazz singing, an art form to which she has made many
distinguished contributions as a performer.”
- Bruce Crowther, author: Singing Jazz and jazz critic
“Her boundless and unwavering devotion and dedication to assisting,
nurturing, and educating others is inspirational.”
- Gerald C. Bryant Esq.
“Incredibly talented, dedicated and creative in her performance and teaching
style."
– Linda Castro, professional actress, stage director and producer
“If I had to guess what Ellen Johnson’s students would say about her as a
vocal instructor, I would imagine they would agree with me in that Ellen has
the unique ability to ‘demystify’ the art of singing for her students. The
prevailing impression is that singing is only bestowed on the ‘gifted’ or the
‘lucky,’ but the truth is, singing is a physical activity that can be improved
upon through practice and repetition. Ellen is able to really listen to her
student, then offer just the right instructive suggestion in plain language that
the student can then take and apply to his or her technique in such a way as
to refine it, improve it, connect more easily to the internal mechanisms that
produce the sound... To simply improve one’s singing technique is not
Ellen’s goal, however: the art of singing is to facilitate a person’s ability to
project his or her own unique self out into the world, to make a connection to
other human beings... singing is the vehicle; the language that makes this
‘emotional communication’ possible. So in thinking about it more closely, I’d
have to say that Ellen is in reality a ‘vocal linguist,’ with each student’s dialect
being slightly different from the next.”
– Shirley Downie, voice student
"Ellen Johnson is an Amazing vocal instructor and performer. She has a
unique blend of technical expertise in vocal production/breathing; musical
expertise in almost any genre including jazz, blues, scatting, folk, opera,
classical, showtunes, and just about anything you could hum; and finally
an artistic expertise an emotional connection to music and lyric that makes a
song come to life and touch the listener. She'll push you and make you push
yourself. You’ll grow in skill and repertoire and all the while.... having a great
time, because she makes it fun with her joyful and kind spirit. All that and
she's nice too."
- Susan Picking, singer/songwriter (sometimes Irish traditional and jazz dabbler)
"Ellen’s energy, perseverance and audacious love for the vocal instrument,
not to mention her dual gifts of performing and teaching, have added untold
confidence in my eagerness to find "the groove" and explore the world of
jazz. I am now putting together my first CD demo. It wouldn't have
happened had it not been for her."
– Gary Brumburgh, voice student
"Since I have been working with Ellen, my voice has completely changed. My
friends and family have not only noticed a transformation of my singing voice
in the last few years but also a transformation in my confidence. which is still
growing."
– Julia Rockowitz, voice student
"I never realized how much of jazz was within my reach until Ellen Johnson
showed me it was right there. I have learned more from her about the
literature, techniques, theory and sheer fun of jazz vocalizing than I can
possibly ever thank her for."
– George Neil, voice student
"Ellen Johnson is an amazing teacher. Since I have been taking lessons with
Ellen I have seen a great deal of improvement in my vocal technique and
performance. My skills for auditioning have improved also. Ellen Johnson is
the only teacher I have ever had that can explain something to me in a way I
can understand. For example I had trouble with breathing technique and she is the first
teacher I have ever had who has been able to help me correct it."
- Kelsea Scheppmann, High School Student (Finalist in the Grammy Student Jazz Awards)
"Ellen Johnson is a "teacher extraordinaire". Not only does she know her stuff but she knows how to teach it to students of all levels. She makes the classes fun and interesting. Ellen also has great performance skills as well. I have taken classes with Ellen for over 4 years and I can say that it really has increased my knowledge of music and especially of jazz."
- Gale Edwards, jazz workshop student
"I've worked with Ellen both in a group situation, and one-on-one, and she always has valuable input. Not only is she helpful from a technical perspective, based on her experience, but more importantly, her passion for jazz vocals in truly inspiring to those she's around. She's dedicated to helping others, which is the icing on the cake. Thanks for all your help Ellen."
- Richard Winzler, professional singer, musician and composer
"Ellen is an amazing teacher. Her classes are challenging, yet fit for any level of training. She inspires you and is encouraging along the way. Daily use of her vocal exercise tape has helped me be ready for any performing opportunity that may come my way."
- Cami Black, actress and singer