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Ben Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Minnesota where he studied music education and tuba. He performed with the University of Minnesota Brass Choir and Wind Ensemble as well as community bands in the Twin Cities. After moving to Colorado in 1996, Ben earned a Master of Music Education from the University of Colorado and performed as a vocalist in the University Singers and Schola Cantorum. Since then, he has performed in a variety of musical groups as both a brass instrumentalist and a baritone vocalist.
Ben has taught Orchestra and Band in the Boulder Valley School District since 1999 and currently teaches at Manhattan Middle School. In 2010 he revived a choir program at Manhattan and brings a middle school marching band to a Parade of Lights every December. He has twice been an Impact on Education Award finalist and was awarded the Jared Polis Teacher Recognition Award in 2012.
Ben’s most influential teachers have been Ross Tolbert , David Baldwin, Craig Kirchoff, Joan Catoni Conlan, and Manny Laureano.
Ben lives in Louisville, CO with his wife Sarah, who plays bassoon.
"I love climbing, biking, hiking, and fishing in the Rocky Mountains. My favorite books are Moby Dick, Infinite Jest, and East of Eden. I enjoy cooking, automotive repair, and gardening. Music has been a passion of mine as long as I can remember. I think every young person should experience the magic of making music with thier peers in an instrumental and/or vocal ensemble."
"I bring vibrant enthusiasm along with solid pedagogy, positive behavior supports, and content mastery to the music classroom. I use proven instructional strategies and backward lesson plan designs as well as my own intuitive approach to learning. My classes are environments of high expectations and differentiation that bring out the best in young people."
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