Ms. Monica Johnston
(B.Music, M.Music ED)
VIOLIN AND VIOLA FACULTY
Ms. Monica Johnston is a musician and educator who believes music is for everyone. Originally from the US, she has called Hong Kong home for the past 15 years. An experienced teacher, Monica has taught Suzuki viola and violin, early childhood music classes, coached chamber ensembles, and taught elementary music at an international school.
Her teaching experience includes JC Project MuSE, American School Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Suzuki Music Institute, Suzuki Music Academy of Hong Kong, USC Community Music School, Suzuki Strings at USC, and the USC String Project.
Monica is an active member of the SAA and has attended Suzuki events across Mexico, the US, Europe, and Asia. She has published two articles—Coronavirus Doesn’t Have to Mean Cancelled and A Summer in Puerto Rico: Music after Maria—and is especially connected to Puerto Rico, where she has occasionally returned as a guest teacher. She looks forward to viola-specific events such as the European Suzuki Viola Gathering, and she has taught students of all ages—from infants to grandparents.
In Hong Kong, Monica has performed with the Early Music Society of Hong Kong, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, and Western District. She has also performed around the world, including in Italy, Austria, Canada, the United States, and Hungary, and has worked with pop artists such as Michael Bublé, Hacken Lee, and Angela Zhang.
Monica holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Temple University and has Suzuki training with Patricia D’Ercole, Carrie Reuning-Hummel, Carol Smith, Mary Cay Neal, Lan Ku Chen, Sarah Montzka, Elizabeth Stuen-Walker, Nancy Jackson, and Danny Gee Cordova.