Johanson directed the guitar studies program at Portland State University from 1977 to 2015. During that time, he managed a successful concert series and later the Portland International Guitar Festival and Competition, a festival that earned worldwide recognition and attracted some of the finest players.
Johanson studied with the likes of Christopher Parkening, Alirio Diaz, and Michael Lorimer. He has performed with orchestras, chamber music groups, choirs, and in solo recitals throughout the United States and Canada.
In 2010, Johanson became a member of the Oregon Guitar Quartet, a group for which he has created numerous original compositions and arrangements.
Johanson currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and daughter.
Works
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Published works
SONATA No. 4 for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2017
SONATINA-CAHIER for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2017
A NIGHT AT THE THIRSTY EAR for guitar quartet. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2017
PAINTED MUSIC for flute and guitar. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2017
A GROOVE OF GUITARS for guitar quartet and orchestra. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2017
LOS PEREGRINOS DEL CAMINO for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2016
PICCOLLA SUITE ITALIANA for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2016
ELEGY for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2016
SONATA No. 3 for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2016
SONATA No. 2 for guitar solo. Les Editions D’OZ, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2016
SONATA for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
THE AUTUMN WIND - traditional Japanese arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
JAVA BY STARLIGHT – traditional from Java arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
MORNING DEW – traditional from China arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
KALINKA – traditional from Russia arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
OLIVES, LEMONS AND LAMB – traditional from Greece arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
BERCEUSE – traditional from Catalonia arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
JAMMUS AFRIKANUS – traditional from Zimbabwe arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
BIALANDO EL GATO – traditional from Argentina arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
LA SANDUNGA – traditional from Mexico arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014
A DOG FROM EVERY TOWN for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
OPEN UP YOUR EARS for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
I DREAMED ABOUT YOU LAST NIGHT for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
BOPPIN’ for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE FLY for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
MAGIC SERENADE for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
ON ALL FOUR for guitar quartet. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2013
24 PRELUDES for guitar solo. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2012
BRETHEN, WE HAVE MET arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Les Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011.
WHISTLING MOLLY arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011.
BLACK IS THE COLOR arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011.
HARD TIMES by Stephen Foster, arranged for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011
THE SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011
RYE WHISKEY arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011.
SHENANDOAH arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec, City, Quebec, Canada. 2011
PICK A BALE OF COTTON arranged from traditional material for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2011.
LUX AETERNA for chorus and solo cello. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010.
AVE MARIA for chorus and piano. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010.
LIQUID MUSIC for chorus and harp. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010
THE MISTRESS AND THE BEE for chorus and piano. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010
O MAGNUMUM MYSTERIUM for chorus. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010
PSALLITE for chorus and piano. Earthsongs Choral Editions. Corvallis, Oregon. 2010
PLUCK, STRUM AND HAMMER for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
SINFONIA by George Wagenseil, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
DIVERTIMENTO IN Bb by Franz Joseph Haydn, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
CONCERTO GROSSO III, OP. 6 by George Frederic Handel, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
SINFONIA VENEZIANA by Antonio Salieri, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
L’ENCOURAGEMENT, OP. 34 by Fernando Sor, transcribed for guitar duo with guitar ensemble. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
SYMPHONY V by William Boyce, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
TWO SONATAS by Domenico Scarlatti, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
CLARINET CONCERTO by Johann Molter, transcribed for clarinet and guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
SINFONIA, K. 76 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
SONATA IV, Op. 1 by Antonio Vivaldi, transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
TANGO, Op. 165 by Isaac Albeniz transcribed for guitar quartet. Editions D’Oz, Inc. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2010
LA FOLIA FOLIO for guitar solo. Editions D’Oz, Inc., Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 2008
CIACCONA for guitar solo. Guitar Solo Publication (GSP) Inc., San Francisco, California. 2007
VARIATIONS ON A FINNISH FOLK SONG for guitar solo in “Mel Bay Presents - The Contemporary Guitar: An Anthology of New Music, edited by Stanley Yates”. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Pacific Missouri. 2001.
O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM for chorus. Thomas House Publications. 1998. Winner of the 1997 Roger Wagner Center for Choral Studies Contemporary Choral Composition Competition.
AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON for solo guitar in "New Classical Guitar Music Volume 1: The Verdery Guitar Series". Frederick Harris Music * Publishers. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 1996.
BRING A TORCH, JEANNETTE ISABELLA arranged for cello and guitar from the traditional Christmas Carol. Earthsongs Music Publishers, Corvallis, Oregon. 1991.
TWO CATS FUGUE for guitar and harpsichord. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 1991.
TOCCATA FESTIVA, Op. 46 for Guitar and Orchestra. Edizioni Musicali BERBEN, Ancona, Italia. 1990.
MORTUA DOLCE CANO for solo Guitar. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 1990.
FRESCO I, Op. 33 for solo Guitar. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 1990.
FRESCO II, Op. 33 for two Guitars. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 1990.
TIENTO VI, Op. 25 for two Guitars. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 1990.
SIMPLE SUITE, Op. 13 for solo Guitar. Columbia Music Company, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 1990.
LABYRINTH, op. 30 for solo Guitar. Edizioni Musicali BERBEN, Ancona, Italia. 1985.
Commissioned works
THE BOOTLEGGER’S TALE for guitar solo. Commissioned by William Kanengiser with funding provided by the Augustine Foundation. 2018.
PAINTED MUSIC for flute and guitar. Commissioned by Jeff LaQuatre and Michelle Stanley with funding from Metropolitan State University, Colorado for their 2017-18 concert season.
FIVE WAYS IN, ONE WAY OUT for clarinet in A and guitar quartet. Commissioned by Chamber Music Northwest for their 2016 Summer Music Festival.
ESSERCIZI for piano solo. Commissioned by Portland Piano International, with the generous support of a Creative Heights Grant from the Fred W. Fields Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation. 2015
SONATA for guitar solo. Commissioned by Michael LeFevre with funds from an anonymous donor.
SONATE DE CHAMBRE for cello and piano. Commissioned by Cheryl Chevis.
CATCH AND RELEASE for clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, electric guitar and piano. Commissioned by Festival “Agosto 2", Italy.
FORE! for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Oregon Guitar Quartet with funds provide by ArtBeat.
FRESCO for organ and orchestra. Commissioned by the city of Bologna, Italy for their annual summer music festival “Agosto 2". 2008
AS EVENING BECOMES MORNING for guitar solo. Commissioned by guitarist Louis O’Neill. 2008
IF E WAS G for guitar solo. Commissioned by guitarist Louis O’Neill. 2008
QUICK AS A WINK for orchestra. Commissioned by the Orchestra Filarmonica di Torino, Italia 2007
DRINKING BREAKFAST FROM A JELLY JAR for guitar quartet. Commission by the Alexandria Guitar Quartet. 2007
SONATA DA CAMERA for clarinet and guitar. Commissioned by Roger Cole and James Reid. 2007
THE UNDERDOG for guitar and orchestra. Commissioned by Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Classic Guitar Society. 2006
RECESSIONAL for trumpet and organ. Commissioned by Robert Sandstrom and Lisa Day. 2006. A GRIMM LITTLE SUITE for 11-String guitar. Commissioned by Terry Schumaker. 2006
THE MISTRESS AND THE BEE for choir and piano. Commissioned by the Southern Oregon Repertoire Singers. 2005
BOPPIN’ for guitar solo. Commissioned by Travis Johnson. 2005
CATWALK for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. 2005
LUX AETERNA for chorus and cello solo. Commissioned by The Portland Symphonic Choir with funding provide by the Argosy Foundation. 2005
NOTES ON A VAULTED SKY for string quartet. Commissioned by Third Angle New Music Ensemble. 2003
LET’S BE FRANK for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. 2003 PLUCK, STRUM AND HAMMER for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. 2003
NO YOICKING, GABBLING, QUOTHING for penta armonica and guitar quartet. Commissioned by the New York Guitar Quartet. 2003
LOS ABEJARUCOS for string quartet. Commissioned by Third Angle New Music Ensemble. 2003
FRESCOES for oboe and trumpet. Commissioned by Robert and Lauren Murray. 2003 CONCERTO GROSSO for three guitars and string orchestra. Commissioned by the Alexandria Guitar Trio. 2002
THE BANANA DANCE for two guitars and orchestra. Commissioned by Michael Kudirka and Eric Benzant-Feldra. 2002
THE RED MARE SUITE for clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and balalaika. Commissioned by Third Angle New Music Ensemble. 2002
THE RED MARE for clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, balalaika and guitar. Commissioned by Tears of Joy Puppet Theater Ensemble. 2002
13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT 12 STRINGS for two guitars. Commissioned by Michael Kudirka and Eric Benzant-Feldra. 2002
CIACCONA for lute or guitar. Commissioned by Martha Masters. 2002
ORPHEUS WITH HIS LUTE for voice, lute, baroque flute and viol. Commissioned by Jacob Herringman and Catherine King. 2002
SAKURA SAFARI for guitar trio. Commissioned by the Alexandria Guitar Trio. 2001
PARTITA for guitar solo. Commissioned by The Rosewood Guitar for Michael Partington. 2000
QUATRO SINKO for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. 2000 THINK FAST for guitar solo. Commissioned by David Starobin. 2000
DRAGON DANCE for guitar trio. Commissioned by the Virginia Guitar Trio. 2000
PSALLITE for chorus and piano. Commissioned by the Portland Symphonic Choir. 2000.
BAGATELLES for solo cello. Commissioned for cellist Hamilton Cheifetz by friends of Mary Winch. 1999
IN THE DEEP WOOD REFLECTED for viola and chamber ensemble. Commissioned by the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Jeffrey Peyton, artistic director. Portland, Oregon. 1997
STILL LIFE WITH 10 STRINGS for violin and guitar. Commissioned by Kevin Gary. Denver, Colorado. 1996
TWANG for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Alexandria Guitar Quartet. Fairfax, Virginia. 1996
OPEN UP YOUR EARS for guitar. Commissioned by David Starobin. New York, New York. 1996
IN THE DEEP WOOD REFLECTED for viola and orchestra. Commissioned by Anna Schaum. Portland, Oregon. 1996
SONATA for solo cello. Commissioned by Cheryl Chevis for Hamilton Cheifetz. Portland, Oregon. 1996
AVE MARIA for chorus and piano. Commissioned by the Portland Symphonic Choir. Portland, Oregon. 1995
IN STILLNESS IN MOTION for violin, cello and piano. Commissioned by the Florestan Trio. Portland, Oregon. 1995
LOS ABEJARUCOS for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Alexandria Guitar Quartet. Fairfax, Virginia. 1995
PICCOLO SERENATA for viola and guitar. Commissioned by the Alma Duo, San Francisco, California. 1995
Composed and performed music for PROMOTORAS, one of the shows that was part of the National Public Radio series
LEGACIES: TALES FROM AMERICA. 1994
STRUM UND JAM for flute, clarinet, guitar, violin, and cello. Commissioned by the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, 1993
MUTED IN THUNDER for mezzo-soprano, flute, percussion, guitar and female chorus. Commissioned by the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, 1993
SIX ELECTRIC ETUDES for electric guitar solo. Commissioned by John Tamburello as required concert works for his electric guitar program at New York State University. 1993
AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON for guitar solo. Commissioned by James Reid, Professor of Music at the University of Idaho. 1993
AUTUMN BURNING for viola and guitar. Commissioned by the Alma Duo, San Francisco, California. 1992
SUITE OF IMAGINARY BEINGS for flute, violin, viola, cello, and piano. Commissioned by the Northwest Chamber Players. 1992
LIQUID MUSIC for mixed chorus and harp. Commissioned by Choral Cross-Ties. 1991
A WEAVE OF SUNLIGHT for guitar and string quartet. Commissioned by David Tanenbaum for California State University's Summer Arts Festival at Humboldt State University. 1991.
HUMORS for flute, cello, and guitar. Commissioned by the Bel Arts Trio, Los Angeles, California. 1990
SERENADE, for Viola and Piano. Commissioned by Oregon Symphony Violist, Stephen Price. 1990
TRIO for Flute, Viola & Guitar. Commissioned by members of The Greater Portland Area Flute Society in memory of John May. 1990
ROUNDELAY, for Men's Chorus. (Text by Samuel Beckett) Commissioned by the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. 1990
TOCCATA FESTIVA, Op. 46 for Guitar and Orchestra. Commissioned by the Second American Classical Guitar Congress. 1989
DUO, Op. 45 for Clarinet and Marimba. Commissioned by Jeffrey Peyton. 1989
PARTITA, Op. 42 for Chamber Orchestra. Commissioned by The West Coast Chamber Orchestra for the inaugural concert of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. 1988
AMERICAN FOLKSONG SUITE, Op. 41, for Electric Guitar and Wind Ensemble. Commissioned by John Tamburello. 1988
OUTDOOR SERENADE for Electric guitar, electric piano, electric bass and two antiphonal percussionist. Commissioned by the Oregon Arts Commission and U.S. Bank.
SONATA, Op. 39 for guitar quartet. Commissioned by the Oregon Guitar Quartet. 1986
METAMORPHOSIS, Op. 36 for guitar solo. Commissioned by Scott Kritzer. 1986
FRESCO I, Op. 33 for guitar solo. Commissioned by the Guitar Foundation of America for their 1985 International Guitar Festival, held in Los Angeles, California at California State University, Northridge. The work was the required piece for the solo guitar competition. 1985
FRESCO II, Op. 33 for two guitars. Commissioned by the Guitar Foundation of America for their 1985 International Guitar Festival, held in Los Angeles, California at California State University, Northridge. The work was the required piece for the guitar duo competition. 1985
SONATINA, Op. 32 for flute, clarinet, and bassoon. Commissioned by Trio Viento. 1984
LABYRINTH, Op. 30 for guitar solo. Commissioned by David Tanenbaum. 1983
FRESCO for piano, percussion, electric guitar, and string orchestra. Commissioned by Oregon Ballet. 1981
DOUBLE CONCERTO, Op. 14 for viola, guitar, and orchestra. Commissioned by the Whalter/Tanenbaum Duo and the Berkeley Promenade Orchestra. 1981
IPHEGENIA IN AULIS, Op. 10 for viola and guitar. Commissioned by the Whalter/Tanenbaum Duo, Berkeley, California. 1979
SONATA DA CHIESA, Op. 5 for oboe, french horn, and contrabass. Commissioned by Richard Sarpola for his graduate recital from the New England Conservatory of Music. 1979
TRIO, Op. 3 for flute, cello, and guitar. Commissioned by the Summerhill Trio. 1978
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