Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson is a Vocal Studies professor at the Royal College of Music, where he teaches vocal performance and opera. An acclaimed tenor, Johnson has established himself as a versatile performer across opera, concert repertoire, and recital, with a distinguished career that spans major international stages.

Johnson's research interests focus on:

• Opera performance practice across historical periods
• Art song interpretation, particularly English and German Lieder
• Vocal technique and pedagogy for emerging singers
• Historical performance practices in vocal music
• Collaborative piano-vocal repertoire
• Contemporary vocal works and commissions

Johnson's recent performances and recordings demonstrate remarkable versatility across musical periods and styles. His discography includes significant contributions to Polish art song repertoire (Szymanowski), English song literature (Victorian songs), and major operatic roles from Mozart to Britten. He has performed with leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Graham Johnson and Edward Gardner.

Johnson's professional achievements include:

• BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Audience Prize (2013)
• Kathleen Ferrier Award (2008)
• Wigmore Hall Emerging Talent (2011)
• English National Opera Harewood Artist (2013-2015)

As an educator and performer, Johnson maintains an active schedule of masterclasses and performances while continuing his research through performance practice. He serves as Founder and Chief Conductor of the Southrepps Sinfonia and joint Artistic Director of the Southrepps Classical Music Festival, demonstrating his commitment to both performance and artistic leadership beyond the academic setting.

Johnson leads the Southrepps Classical Music Festival, which provides performance opportunities for emerging artists and presents innovative programming that bridges historical and contemporary repertoire, reflecting his own diverse artistic interests.