1163: Chris Johnson on Building a Bigger Dream Through Music

Chris Johnson is a New York–based bassist, educator, and creative force whose career spans the Sphinx Virtuosi, New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and a wide range of chamber, commercial, and recording projects.
He is also the founder of Strauss Hauss, a concert series that brings music, food, and conversation together while placing artists and community at the center.
In this conversation, Chris shares how Project STEP and New England Conservatory launched his life in music, why touring changed his view of the world, and how Burning Man inspired him to dream on a larger scale.
We also dig into audition preparation, freelance life in New York, learning from musicians such as Xavier Foley, Joe Conyers, and Hal Robinson, and Chris's vision for building a musical community that compensates artists more generously. Enjoy, and be sure to follow Chris on Instagram!
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