Gareth Johnson Uses His Impressive Musical Abilities To Help Celebrate Life’s Milestones
Violin Virtuoso STORY BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
Classically trained concert violinist and Wellington resident Gareth Johnson believes that people don’t have to let their special occasions go uncelebrated in the COVID-19 era — and he has been using his impressive musical abilities to help. At an age where most kids might grasp a favorite stuffed animal, Johnson was putting his arm around a violin, working toward becoming a virtuoso player. At age nine, he saw famed violist Itzhak Perlman perform and discovered his true passion. “I bought my own violin at a pawn shop for $80,” he recalled. A year later, he was taking master lessons with Perlman. By age 11, he was jetting around the world performing and was in the Juilliard precollege program receiving the best training available. When performing his private concerts, violinist At age 16, Johnson moved Gareth Johnson is completely COVID-19 compliant. with his family here to Wellington, with titions and prizes throughout the Unitseveral boxes of worldwide awards, ed States and Europe. He was the 2002 and the family would have to find junior winner and the 2010 senior winspace for the many more to come in ner of the international Sphinx Compehis career. tition, and he earned the International Johnson has won numerous compe- Career and Business Alliance (ICABA) 40
september 2020 | wellington the magazine
Salute to Living Black History Makers Award in 2016. Today, Johnson holds a master’s degree from the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton and attributes much of his success to his mother Linda, who holds a doctoral degree in music education. “She was always there sitting at the piano,” Johnson said. “You find that the greatest musicians all had that parent musician spurring them on.” Today, at 34, Johnson is director of The Parlor Series in Lake Worth, which is devoted to developing and showcasing both world-class and local artistic talent. He has two studios for private lessons, one in Lake Worth and one in Wellington, and he is regarded as one of the most technically superior violinists of his generation. He currently plays on an 1840 J.B. Vuillaume violin and has performed with his catalyst, Itzhak Perlman, as well as Joshua Bell, Pinchas Zukerman and other world-renowned string virtuosos. Before COVID-19, Johnson traveled the world as a soloist, master teacher and educator. He is an accomplished