A native of Houston, Texas, Geoffrey Johnson returned to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as the second oboe in 2019, following a dynamic tenure as acting second oboist from 2014 to 2017. Geoffrey's deep connection with the DSO began with a fellowship from 2009 to 2012, during which he honed his craft, skillfully performing on both the second oboe and English horn under the esteemed direction of Maestro Leonard Slatkin.
An accomplished recording artist, Geoffrey can be heard on numerous Detroit Symphony Orchestra recordings, including iconic works such as Copland’s Symphony No. 3 (Grammy Nominated), Tchaikovsky's Complete Symphonies, Brahms' Complete Symphonies, Billy the Kid, John Williams’ Concerti, and most recently Wynton Marsalis’ Blue Symphony. Additionally, his contributions extend to the DSO's live broadcasts and archived performances, enriching the listening experience for music lovers both near and far.
Geoffrey’s versatile talents also shine in the realm of film scores, with notable performances in Disney's The Lion King (2019), Spike Lee's Da Five Bloods (2020), and Creed III (2022). He has collaborated with renowned R&B artist Kem on the album What Christmas Means, showcasing
his range as a musician.
Beyond performing, Geoffrey is a passionate educator. He maintains a competitive private teaching studio in Royal Oak and has served as an adjunct oboe professor at Western Michigan University. His students range from middle school beginners to college and adult students in community bands. His commitment to education extends nationwide, where he has given masterclasses at various universities and serves on the oboe faculty of the Detroit Symphony’s youth orchestra program and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer youth orchestra festival, YOLA National Festival, led by Gustavo Dudamel.
Geoffrey Johnson holds a Masters in Music Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with renown oboist, John Mack, former principal of the Cleveland Orchestra and Frank Rosenwein, principal of the Cleveland Orchestra. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Baylor University, where he studied with Dr. Doris DeLoach. His
extensive training also includes mentorship from Elaine Douvas, professor of oboe at the Juilliard School of Music and retired principal oboist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
