Mikhail Johnson (1989-) born in the rural hills of Maroon Town in the parish of St. James, Jamaica, is one of the country’s most promising pianists and composers. He was winner of the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition for Young Musicians Senior Division in 2009, and in the same year, won the piano section of the Jamaica Music Teachers’ Association Music Competition. He has won numerous gold medals and national awards in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival of the Performing Arts, and he was also a finalist in the 2017 American Prize Music Competition for Piano (collegiate division). In 2021 he was two-time First Prize winner of the Charleston International Music Competition and the first Jamaican to enter the competition.

As a composer Johnson’s compositional style merges traditional European classical music and the avant-garde with traditional Jamaican cultural idiosyncrasies.  His compositional output is being published on his publishing label Johno Muzik, and comprises of: sacred and patriotic choral works, African American Spiritual arrangements, song cycles and instrumental works. Johnson’s many commissions from universities and music organizations, and his wins and finalist placements in several competitions and score calls, has resulted in his works being performed by several ensembles. This includes: The Cleveland Chamber Symphony, The Cantus Ensemble of London, The North/South Consonance Ensemble, The Concordia Ensemble of the University of Notre Dame, the Departure Duo and Transient Canvas.

Johnson has also been invited as chief adjudicator for several international music competitions in the categories of piano and composition.

Johnson holds degrees from Bowling Green State University, and Texas Tech University.