Biography

       Marissa Johnson is a clarinetist and educator located in Indianapolis, Indiana. She teaches General Music for Avon School Corporation in Avon, Indiana. She also teaches private lessons to clarinetists, oboists, and saxophonists of all ages! Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the students in Marissa's clarinet studio have found success with online lessons.  In her free time, Marissa enjoys flying airplanes and going for hikes. She attended Butler University and in May 2021 graduated with a Bachelors in Music Education and Music Performance with an emphasis in Music History. In February of 2025, Marissa graduated Western Governors University with a Masters of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

       Marissa has studied clarinet with David Bellman (principal of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), Trina Gross (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Principal Eb Clarinetist/Butler University), and Michele Gingras (Dist. Prof. Emerita from Miami University and Butler University). Marissa teaches for the Butler Community Arts School and for school corporations across the Indianapolis area. Marissa has participated in Butler University's concerto competition and competed in the Finals in 2019 with her performance of Martin Ellerby's Clarinet Concerto. During her time at Butler University, Marissa has played in the University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Colonel Michael Colburn, previous conductor of the President's Own Marine Band. She has been involved with numerous ensembles on clarinet and worked with professional musicians and conductors including Kenneth Tse, Otis Murphy, Michael Martin, Mark Ford, Joseph Lulloff, John Mackey, Steven Bryant, Evelyn Glennie, Stacy Garrop, Larry Livingston, Sey Ahn, Eugene Corporon, Kevin Sedatole, Gary Markham, Samuel Hazo, Master Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bennear, and Gunnery Sergeant Sara Sheffield.