Julia Johnson strives to create music that is both technically demanding and musically sensitive. As a champion of new music, Julia enjoys working with composers to help bring appreciation to the harp’s abilities and expand beyond preconceived limitations of the instrument. In all aspects of her musical career, Julia strives to innovate on tradition to promote the harp as a multifaceted instrument.

Julia is an experienced soloist and has soloed with the American Fork Symphony, the Utah Valley Symphony, the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony, and Jacobs School of Music Chamber Orchestra. Julia is a three time prize winner of the American Harp Society’s National Competition and was most recently awarded third place in the Advanced Division in Los Angeles in 2023. Julia graduated with high honors from the Jacobs School of Music in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance as well as a Performers Certificate and Certificate in Entrepreneurship. In the fall of 2023, she was appointed principal harpist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. Julia recently performed the world premier of Ariel Sol Bertulfo Schwartz’s concerto for harp, STRUM!, on her senior recital. Aside from her educational and professional endeavors, Julia enjoys performing at weddings and events across the United States.

Julia is pursuing her Master of Music in Harp Performance at the Jacobs School of Music studying under Elzbieta Szmyt. She is the Associate Instructor of Harp at the Jacobs School and teaches multiple students.