Craig Hella Johnson

Craig Hella Johnson (born Craig Morris Johnson; June 15, 1962) is an American choral conductor, composer, and arranger.

Early life Johnson was born in Brainerd, Minnesota, and raised in Virginia, Minnesota, on the Iron Range. His father was a Lutheran pastor, and music played a central role in both his family and community life. As a child, Johnson began studying piano and later traveled to Duluth for organ lessons beginning in seventh grade. He served as a church organist throughout high school and was actively involved in school music programs and local community performances. During his freshman year, a symphonic literature class sparked his passion for conducting. Observing a rehearsal of the Minnesota Orchestra, Johnson described the moment the conductor lifted his arms to begin Glinka’s *Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila* as transformative.

Career Johnson founded the professional choral ensemble Conspirare in Austin, Texas, and continues to serve as its artistic director. He was also the long-time artistic director of the Victoria Bach Festival and directed the Houston Masterworks Chorus from 2001 to 2003.

Academic appointments Johnson was director of choral activities at the University of Texas at Austin for eight years and currently serves as Professor and Resident Artist in Choral Music at Texas State University. That same year, he was appointed music director of the Vocal Arts Ensemble in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Considering Matthew Shepard In 2016, Johnson premiered Considering Matthew Shepard, a concert-length fusion oratorio honoring the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered in 1998. The work blends a range of musical styles and incorporates texts by Hildegard of Bingen, Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi, as well as excerpts from Shepard’s journal and interviews with his family.

The piece was featured in a PBS documentary in 2018, and Conspirare’s recording of the oratorio received a Grammy nomination.

Personal life Johnson lives in Austin, Texas, with his partner, architect Philip Overbaugh.