bio

Julia Maria Johnson is a “standout” soprano praised for her “sparkling vocal agility and emotional sincerity” as well as her ability to navigate "demanding passages with grace and precision.” (Stage and Cinema). She has quickly become a distinctive presence in both traditional repertoire and new works, recognized especially amongst contemporary composers, for her musical versatility and deep sense of storytelling. In the 2025-26 Season, Ms. Johnson joined the Confidencen Opera & Music Festival Young Artist Program in Stockholm, Sweden, where she covered Zerlina and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the historic Ulriksdal Palace Theatre. She appeared with LA Opera Connects and performed as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra.

In the 2024/2025 season, Ms. Johnson made three role debuts, performing the role of Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Genesis Opera, covering Musetta in La Bohème with Opera San Jose, and performing the role of Ernestina in Salieri’s La Scuola de’ Gelosi with Pacific Opera Project. She is thrilled to have performed both new and standard works in opera and recital with companies including The Opera Buffs, Sky Opera, Lyric Opera of Orange County, and Modern Opera Company, as well as singing on many premiere recordings for composers all over the world. Ms. Johnson was also a 2024 Resident artist with Opera Naples. There, she sang the role of Phyllis in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe, as well as the role of Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. 

In competition, she has been District Winner and Regional Encouragement Winner at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, a top-nine finalist in the Vienna Beethoven Competition in Austria, a top-10 finalist in the McCammon Competition, and a 2nd Prize/Vítězslava Kaprálová Award winner at The American International Czech & Slovak Competition.

Ms. Johnson was born and raised in Washington State, and is currently based in Southern California. She earned her M.M. in Voice Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music where she studied under Professor of Voice, Vladimir Chernov. Ms. Johnson is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Vocal Performance. At MSMU, LA, Ms. Johnson was awarded the Excellence in Student Teaching Award, the Department of Music Faculty Award, and the Sr. Dolorosa Credential Scholarship for exemplary work and promise in secondary education. She earned the President’s Award Medal, the highest honor and most prestigious award presented in recognition of her leadership, contributions, and academic and personal accomplishments. At UCLA, Ms. Johnson was a Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholar and received the Steve Lawrence - Eydie Gormé Scholarship for the arts. 

In her time at UCLA, Ms. Johnson performed the lead role of Penelope in the world premiere of Quake by Kay Rhie, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Euridice in André Campra’s Orfeo nell’inferi, and also filmed, edited, and starred in a multidisciplinary recital highlighting Richard Danielpour’s cycle, Talking to Aphrodite. Her 2022 credits include performances as a Professional Fellow with SongFest at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a featured soprano with StudioFest Santa Fe at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi directed by Amy Owens, and the soprano soloist for Bach’s Christmas Cantata with I Cantori di Carmel. An esteemed recitalist, Ms. Johnson is known for her fresh programming, vocal versatility, theatrical finesse, and thrilling attention to detail. Her creative compass is guided by collaboration, storytelling, improvisation, and above all, joy. Ms. Johnson’s captivating stage presence and unique recitals distinguish her as an artist, and led to her being selected as a 2022 Prima Voce Emerging Artist with Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

In addition to performing, Ms. Johnson has maintained a passion for music education. In 2023, Ms. Johnson joined the adjunct voice faculty at California Lutheran University. She is honored to be nurturing the next generation of music-makers to be the most creative, free, and authentic artists that they can be.