Minnesota Varsity: Where Are They Now? - Henry Johnston

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Where Are They Now? spotlights Minnesota Varsity Featured and Showcase Artists and Composers from 2011 to 2019.

Henry Johnston from St. Paul, Minn. was a Minnesota Varsity 2011 Showcase Artist. He recently got in touch with Classical MPR's Christine Sweet to share his latest news.

Age: 22

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.

Attending: University of Texas at Austin

I am currently in the final year of my undergrad degree in classical guitar performance at the University of Texas at Austin. Next spring I will be busy applying to and auditioning for master's programs across the country. This past summer I attended the Aspen Music Festival, and traveled to Houston, Miami, New York, and Spain for competitions and concerts. I'm hoping to begin a more active concertizing career once my undergrad degree is all wrapped. I also maintain an active private studio here in Austin, in addition to teaching group ensemble and theory classes through the University of Texas String Project to students of a wide range of ages, anywhere from 6 to 60.

Minnesota Varsity gave me a chance to present the classical guitar to a wider audience than I had before, and I will always be thankful for any opportunity to showcase my instrument. It was an absolute thrill for me to be able to perform at the Fitzgerald Theater in 2011. Getting the chance to play in that concert would have to qualify as my favorite memory of the Minnesota Varsity experience, as well as my first experience recording in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio. I encourage anyone who may be on the fence about participating in/applying to Minnesota Varsity to go for it; regardless of the result, it is a motivating and inspirational experience.