JIM JOHNSON, Trumpet
Dr. Jim Johnson currently serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Akron. Dr. Johnson grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before joining the faculty at the University of Akron, he served as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Kansas State University. He earned his D.M. in Trumpet Performance from The Florida State University under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Moore. He received his M.M., also in Trumpet Performance, from Kansas State University with Dr. Gary Mortenson and his B.S. in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Kevin Eisensmith.
As an active performer, Dr. Johnson plays with the University of Akron Faculty Brass Quintet. He has previously served as Principal Trumpet of the Salina Symphony Orchestra (Salina, KS) and regular performances with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Tallahassee Symphony (FL), Albany Symphony (GA), and Sinfonia Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Johnson is also an accomplished arranger, having his music performed at the National Trumpet Competition, the Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Conference, and at the Haus Marteau Brass Chamber Workshop in Lichtenberg, Germany. In his free time Jim enjoys watching superhero movies, cooking new dishes with his wife, Kiirsi, and walking their corgi mix, Meechum. |
KIIRSI MAUNULA JOHNSON, Horn
Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson is Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Akron. A versatile musician, Kiirsi is a member of the Solaris Wind Quintet and UA Faculty Brass Quintet. She has performed across the United States, including recent performances with the Wichita Grand Opera, Tallahassee Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and the Columbus (GA) Symphony Orchestra. A native of Northern Ontario, Canada, Kiirsi has also been an active freelancer throughout Ontario, performing with Orchestra London, the Thunder Bay Symphony, Guelph Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Wind Orchestra and the National Academy Orchestra among others.
A featured guest clinician and soloist, Kiirsi has presented and performed on the national and international stage. She was featured as a soloist in the premiere of Michael Conway Baker’s Remembrances for the Memorial University Brass Ensemble in Newfoundland, Canada. Recent masterclasses and workshops include lectures on 'How-to Build Your Horn Section', ‘Real-world Freelancing,’ ‘Canadian Solo Horn Repertoire,’ and ‘Performance Preparation.' In 2009, she took part in a historic DVD project with Frank Battisti, Donald Hunsberger and H. Robert Reynolds. The production included a performance at the International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and a CD/DVD recording. Kiirsi graduated with her Doctorate of Music from the Florida State University. She holds her Master of Music degree with a cognate in Arts Administration from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Western Ontario. Her primary horn teachers include Michelle Stebleton, Randy Gardner, Derek Conrod, Ron George, Duane Dugger and Neil Deland. Kiirsi has previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), and on faculty at Florida A&M University, Troy University (AL) and Washburn University (KS). |
AMANDA ARRINGTON, Piano
Amanda Arrington serves as faculty collaborative pianist at the Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. She maintains an active performing career collaborating with faculty artists, guest artists, and students in over 70 concerts each year. Amanda has performed concerts and premieres nationally and internationally with her colleagues at the Canadian Flute Convention (Toronto, Canada 2015), North American Saxophone Alliance Conference (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois 2014), ClarinetFest (Assisi, Italy 2013), the International Double Reed Society Conference (Redlands, California 2013), the World Saxophone Congress (St. Andrews, Scotland 2012) and the National Association of Composers, USA-Summer Fest (NYC, New York 2010). As a piano soloist, she has enjoyed performances with K-State’s Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and the Wabash City Brass. Amanda has also served as pianist for many local engagements, including the K-State Summer Choral Institute, the Hale Library Concert Series, Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department Summer Musicals, Kansas State University's Young People's Concerts, Manhattan's Summer Chorus, and an annual Messiah Sing-Along for community members.