Michael Johnson, (Musical Director), studied at the Royal College of Music, London where his teachers included Hervey Alan for singing, Antonio Brosa for violin, and Herbert Howells and Anthony Milner for his B.Mus Degree.
He was Director of Music at two schools before being appointed Chief Music Manager for Leeds City Council in 1979. In Leeds he founded and directed Britain’s largest local authority music programme. During his eight years in the city he was Executive Director of the Leeds International Piano Competition and founder of the Leeds Conductors Competition.
Following his time at Leeds, Michael became General Manager at St David’s Hall, Cardiff and latterly Chief Executive of Plymouth Pavilions. While working in the south west, Michael Johnson was also Director of the University of Plymouth Choral Society and the South West Chamber Choir.
Now based in Wiltshire, much of his time presently is spent as an Examiner for the ABRSM and he has travelled to all parts of the world on exam tours. He is currently Director of West Wiltshire Music Ltd., a company which includes a thriving private music studio. Until last year Michael Johnson was also an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and singing, piano and violin consultant at the University of Bath. In addition to The Philomel Singers, Michael is Director of the West Devon Chorale, an elite chamber choir based in Plymouth.