From his earliest memories, Damian Johnson can recall hearing an eclectic mix of Hispanic, reggaeton, Elvis Presley, and 80’s music filling his home. However, it wasn’t until he graduated high school and found himself confined to the house during the COVID pandemic that he realized he wanted to do more than just listen to music.
“I wanted to play an instrument,” said Johnson. “I started practicing at home and very soon knew: I’m going to love what I do if I do music.”
Johnson discovered that Eastern Florida State College had an Associate in Arts music pathway program — which would allow him to complete his two-year undergraduate degree while focusing on his future career.
“Since I lived 15 minutes away from the Cocoa campus, which is where that program was held, it was a no-brainer for me because,” said Johnson. “I was able to finance, save money, and do my two years there, then transfer to a larger university like USF.”
EFSC as a Career Launchpad
In addition to its affordability and proximity, EFSC provided Johnson with a strong foundation for his future career in music education.
“I had to take four theory classes, four keyboarding classes, and four sight-reading classes,” he said. “I know friends who went to other colleges that only required three theory or sight-reading classes, for example. As a result, I sometimes learned more than they did because of how EFSC was structured.”
He credits his music teachers, including Dr. ChanJi Kim (theory and sight-reading), Jon Oxford (ensemble leadership and conducting), and Sally Cook (keyboarding) with helping him sharpen his musical skills and master key concepts through practical experiences in college.
“In my second year, I had the opportunity to conduct a piece I had chosen at one of the EFSC concerts,” said Johnson. “I’d never done anything like that before, but because I had done all the score setting, sight-reading, and score preparation, I felt so comfortable and confident up there.”
Additionally, courses on sound recording with Logic Pro helped Johnson make an easier transition from EFSC to USF, where he pursued his Bachelor of Science in Music Education.
Teaching Philosophy Rooted in EFSC Experience
After graduating with his four-year degree, Johnson began his first year as an Orchestra Director and Choir Director at Strawberry Crest High School. There, he teaches classes based upon performance and applied theory, taking a student-centered approach inspired by his EFSC mentors.
“The students drive me to do better, especially when I see their determination and heard their questions,” said Johnson. “It’s important to me that my students know they can talk to me. I believe in listening from the bottom-up, no matter how experienced or inexperienced a student is.”
Johnson specializes in string instruments, piano, and percussion, with proficiency in brass, woodwinds, and voice. In addition to classical music, he also teaches choir. This year, his students are performing movie themes, including music and vocals from “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Star Wars,” “Agatha All Along,” and “La La Land.”
“There’s a lot I’ve had to learn in a short amount of time,” said Johnson, who has juggled paperwork, field trips, and multiple music programs at once. “It’s been a lot—but I wouldn’t change it.”
A Future of Musical Aspiration
Networking opens the door to opportunities. For Johnson, this was key in providing inspiration.
“My love for music education grew tenfold when I saw the love other teachers had for it,” he said. “My advice for any aspiring music professional: Contact other teachers in college or otherwise and talk to them. Learn about their experiences, see what works for them.”
Johnson plans to continue his education, going after his master’s and ultimately his doctorate in Music Education, with the goal of finishing his career in a university. As he looks back at EFSC, he’s grateful to the solid foundation and knowledgeable teachers who helped him take his key first steps.
“I really enjoyed being given so many opportunities,” said Johnson. “The teachers at EFSC taught me so much through different styles and techniques. Today, I’m taking those same skills and ideals and using them to enhance both myself and my own students.”
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