18. Reuben Johnson

Reuben Johnson is an emerging pianist based in Brisbane, Australia. Born in New York, NY in 2000, Reuben emigrated to Brisbane in 2013 where he began lessons with Mr. Oleg Stepanov. As a member of the Young Conservatorium’s Rising Stars program, he also received tuition with 2015 Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition Winner, Ayesha Gough. Reuben is currently a Bachelor of Music Candidate at the Griffith Conservatorium Griffith University, under Mr. Stepanov, where he has developed a particular interest in the works of JS Bach. He has also received lessons and masterclasses with Natasha Vlassenko (Russia/Australia), Daniel de Borah (Australia), Peter Hill (UK), Gil Garburg (Isreal/Germany), Alexander Strukov (Russia) and Konstantin Shamray (Russia/Australia).

In 2019, Reuben received the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Audition Bursary, awarded to the applicant with the best audition in a particular instrument.
In 2020, Reuben was awarded first prize in the university category of the Bolder Bach Festival’s Online Bach Competition. An international competition held during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was the only Australian Prize winner. In the same year, Reuben was also awarded the Margaret Anne Kerrison Pianoforte Prize, given to the student with the highest mark in their second year of studies. Reuben was selected as a soloist for the 2021 Concerto Festival at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Also a keen chamber musician, improviser and singer, Reuben was a member of the children’s chorus for the Washington National Opera’s 2011 production of Tosca, directed by Placido Domingo. Reuben has a strong interest in conducting and also plays the Bass Guitar.