Erica Johnson

Erica Johnson is a Boston-based keyboardist and Lecturer in Organ and Harpsichord at Wellesley College, serving as College Organist since 2019 within the Music Department. She specializes in historical performance practice and advocates for underrepresented composers.

Her educational background includes a B.M. from Oberlin College (organ and economics), M.M. from New England Conservatory, and D.M.A. from Eastman School of Music, supplemented by study at Hochschule für Musik Bremen through a Beebe Fund grant.

Johnson's research centers on 17th-century organ repertoire, the C.B. Fisk meantone-tempered organ in Houghton Chapel, and music by female composers. She founded the Wellesley Organ Club to engage students with the instrument's mechanics and history, including its Zimbelstern feature.

She has received the International Arp Schnitger Prize (2004) and NDR Musikpreis performance awards (2002) for her work promoting historical organ traditions.

Johnson judges major competitions including the Boston AGO Chapter Competition and Boston Bach International Organ Competition. Her teaching career spans UNC School of the Arts, Salem College, Oberlin Conservatory, and Eastman School of Music, where she designed graduate organ literature courses. She also serves as Director of Liturgy and Music at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton Centre since 2017.