Mikhail Johnson (1989-) born in the rural hills of Maroon Town in the parish of St. James, Jamaica, is one of the country’s most promising pianists and composers. He has won numerous gold medals and national awards in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival of the Performing Arts. He was also a finalist in the 2017 American Prize Music Competition for Piano (collegiate division) and two-time winner of the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition. The first Jamaican national to enter the competition. As a composer, Johnson’s compositional style merges traditional European classical music and the avant-garde with traditional Jamaican cultural idiosyncrasies. He has received commissions from several universities and music organizations such as Seattle Opera, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Cincinnati Song Initiative (CSI) and the Brooklyn Art Song Society. His works have been performed by ensembles such as the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, The Cantus Ensemble in London, The North/South Consonance Ensemble, The Concordia Ensemble of the University of Notre Dame, The Northwest Sinfonietta, Departure Duo, and Transient Canvas. He recently made his 2022 Spoleto Festival USA debut with his composition Evil’s Peak to critical acclaim. He has also been invited to serve as chief adjudicator for several international music competitions in North America. Johnson holds degrees from Texas Tech University and Bowling Green State University.