Jeri Lynne Johnson, Conductor

In 2005 Jeri made history as the first Black woman to win an international conducting prize when she was awarded the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship.  Since then she has continued to break barriers in Europe and the US as the first woman and/or African-American woman on the podium for many orchestras and opera companies in the US and Europe including the Bournemouth Symphony (UK), the Weimar Staatskapelle.   

Lauded by the Los Angeles Times as "a stunning, rhythmically vital conductor," Jeri is a versatile artist who is comfortable with a variety of genres and styles. Jeri has developed a reputation for offering masterful and
compelling performances of contemporary repertoire and has led numerous world premieres. Recent engagements have included Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Santa Fe Opera,Baltimore Symphony, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New World Symphony.  Jeri was also selected to conduct the Pulitzer Prize winning composition "Stride" by Tania Leon as part of the composer's tribute for the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors performance.    

Jeri is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra - a model for the 21st-century American orchestra.  Established in 2008, Black Pearl combines artistic excellence, creative impact, and meaningful community engagement and has been recognized nationally and internationally as an award-winning leading innovator in establishing a culture of belonging In classical music.  In January 2021, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra had the honor of being the only orchestra in North America invited to participate in a virtual collaborative concert as part of the World Economic Forum at Davos.  This inspiring event called See Me! A Global Concert involved filmmakers, visual artists, choirs, orchestras and musicians from around the world. 

Jeri is also civically engaged and has served on prestigious grant panels and Boards of Directors of a number of organizations including Einstein Health Network, the National Endowment for the Arts, New Music USA,  the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (the “Grammys”), the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the Philadelphia Award.

When she is not on the podium, she enjoys playing golf, traveling and spending time with her daughter, Evelyn.