ABOUT
Johnson Gouvea is a Brazilian-American pianist based in Seattle, currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of Washington. He has participated in numerous music festivals, piano masterclasses, and national piano competitions, earning notable distinctions, first prizes, and grants in Brazil, Europe, and the USA.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, in his hometown, Belo Horizonte, he moved to Atlanta to study at Georgia State University, where he received two Master of Music degrees: piano performance and piano pedagogy.
Johnson works as a Predoctoral Instructor at the University of Washington, runs his private studio, and engages in the Seattle community by sharing his music at local churches, music schools, and orchestras. Additionally, he assists at the Seattle Piano Institute, collaborating closely with faculty and staff to coordinate and manage various festival activities.
As a performer and pedagogue, Johnson has contributed to various community institutions. While receiving his two Master's degrees from Georgia State University (GSU), he served for three years as the Artist in Residence at the Community Music Centers of Atlanta. Noteworthy performance achievements in Georgia include winning the 2019 Brumby concerto competition and being selected to perform at the honors recital at GSU, receiving the dean's award. Through his affiliation with the Chopin Society of Atlanta, Johnson participated in masterclasses led by renowned international artists and was awarded scholarships to festivals in France and Spain.
At the University of Washington, Johnson took on the role of Lead Teaching Assistant for two years, tutoring both individual and group piano lessons, and assuming administrative and leadership duties. Furthermore, he restructured the class piano program, updating teaching materials and methods. Johnson currently teaches the class "A Portrayal of Brazilian Society through Music" along with Portuguese language courses in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies.
Outside of applied piano, Johnson can teach other related courses such as piano literature and pedagogy, collaborative piano and chamber music, and courses on music appreciation. His scholarly pursuits have centered around the pedagogical applications of Latin American repertoire, with a particular focus on using Villa-Lobos's Piano Music as a preparatory study for Debussy's impressionistic language. His research also explores topics such as touch and release in relation to key spring cognition and the significance of emotion and storytelling in accompanying.
Johnson's approach to teaching embraces cultural responsiveness and celebrates diverse musical voices, exposing students to repertoire outside of the standard canon. His own background as a Latin American immigrant has instilled in him a deep understanding of the needs and responsibilities involved in working with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. He prioritizes helping students develop the necessary musical tools for self-expression and pursuing their professional aspirations.
In his free time, Johnson loves to travel and has undertaken two cross-country road trips across the United States, soaking in the diverse landscapes and cultures of the country. He also enjoys cooking, baking, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, watching TV shows, and indulging his enthusiasm for perfume, aspiring to be a niche perfume collector someday. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.