A


Local teen pursuing her musical dreams


t an age when many children are using sippy cups and training pants, Ashtin Johnson was developing a deep appreciation for music. Her parents knew early on that Ashtin was endowed with a special gift. The family would accompany Ashtin’s big brother, Seth, to his school performances. They would attend concerts and musicals and this for Ashtin was pure bliss.


“She has always been very drawn to music,” recalls


Curtis Johnson, Ashtin’s father. “She would always show a lot of enthusiasm. She would sit very still and pay close attention to every note— even more than most adults. When the music would get emotional, she would get emotional as well.”


Mom Leigh’s piano was no


stranger to young Ashtin’s musical exploration, but the youngster quickly gravitated to string instruments. At three years of age, Ashtin was learning quickly under the tutelage of her first violin teacher. She was four when she performed her first recital. Fast forward thirteen years to Ashtin as a high school junior and we see just how much hard work and determination have helped this talented young lady develop her gift. On February 10, 2013, Ashtin’s lifelong love affair with music will culminate in New York when she performs with a an orchestra led by conductor Jeffrey Grogan at Carnegie Hall, following three days of intensive rehearsal. As it turns out, musical expression runs in the family.


While Ashtin plans to pursue music at the professional level, she follows the example of several who played, if only for the pure enjoyment. Seth played tenor saxophone in the University of Oklahoma jazz band. Leigh played piano and guitar and also sang in choir. Both Leigh’s mother and grandmother’s lives were enriched by music and art. Ashtin began to take her music ability more seriously at age 15. She auditioned and was accepted into the


Northeast Connection 8


Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute in 2011. The two-week experience was life-altering for her, spending time with other young people whose passion for music and drive to excel mirrored her own. “That’s when she really started to learn the art of


playing the violin,” Curtis said. “She played the notes before, but after she was able to play with emotion.” A return to Quartz Mountain during the summer of 2012 saw Ashtin further hone her skills.


While she is certainly destined for the musical elite, Ashtin is still a kid like any other. Her interests are varied. She enjoys swimming as a member of the Pryor High School swim team. Of course, her drive and determination also make her a fierce competitor in the pool, where she is a two-time state qualifier in free-style relay. We begin to see a trend


forming when we consider, too, that Ashtin is a member of the National Honor Society. Her committment to excellence translates to all of her interests and activities.


Ashtin Johnson Of course, if swim practice,


swim meets and honors classes aren’t on the agenda, it’s all about the music for Ashtin. She is a


member of the Pryor High School band and was selected All-State as first chair clarinet. She has earned All-State recognition for both clarinet and violin two years running. Choir is a more recent interest acquired by Ashtin. “If there are opportunities to learn more about music,


I take them,” Ashtin said when asked about adding choir to her already busy daily schedule. Ashtin is a past member of the Tulsa Honors Orchestra


and current member of Tulsa Youth Symphony. She performed at the famed Harwelden Mansion in Tulsa for Hyechka Club of Tulsa. Founded in 1904, the Hyechka Club is the oldest and largest music club in Oklahoma,


(continued on page 10)


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