Erika Johnson, Percussion

Percussionist Erika Johnson brings her unique musical versatility and voice everywhere, from cabarets to orchestral pits and stages. Most recently, Erika was the drummer for the Pulitzer-prize winning, pre-Broadway run of A Strange Loop at Wooly Mammoth theater. Erika was also seen on stage as the drummer and on-stage band member in Signature Theatre's highly acclaimed, Girlfriend, where she was described as a "marvel" (DC Metro Arts).

 

A frequent performer of new music, Erika is the percussionist for DC’s Great Noise Ensemble. Erika enjoyed introducing the West Coast to John Luther Adams' Drums of Winter, sharing the bill with percussionist and composer Glenn Kotche as part of the inaugural season for Stanford Live in the Bing Concert Hall. Her virtuosic playing is highlighted on Tribute to Andrew Imbrie, a recording commemorating the composer's 80th birthday. 

 

A singer herself, Erika arranges for the rare combination of voice and percussion. Her arrangement of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time was premiered by New York City-based professional chorus, Choral Chameleon.