American soprano Julie Liston Johnson is well known for her rich, shimmering timbre, technical brilliance and diverse repertoire encompassing opera, concert, and recital. Dr. Liston is a soprano, pianist, choral conductor, stage director, and educator with a love for both classical music and music theatre. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice performance and opera from The University of North Texas, a Master of Music in voice from The Juilliard School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in voice performance from The University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN).
Solo recital performances include being a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Trinity Church Wall Street, Church of the Ascension, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis) and Durham Cathedral (England) where in 2019 she sang the soprano solos in Verdi's Requiem. Recent performances include Brahms Requiem at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Dr. Liston has sung several world premieres, including La machine de l'être by John Zorn at the Angelica Festival in Italy.
Theatrical performances include the operas of Don Giovanni (Donna Anna); Die Zauberflöte (Königin der Nacht and Die Erste Dame); Le nozze di Figaro (Contessa); Dido and Aeneas (Dido); Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio San); The Secret of Susanna (Susanna); La Calisto (L'Éternità); The Crucible (Abigail Williams and Mary Warren); Belisa (Belisa). In March of 2024, Dr. Liston performed the lead role of Ellida Wangel in the premiere concert performance of The Lady from the Sea, with performances at both the American Opera Center and Symphony Space in New York City.
Dr. Liston has served on the faculty of The University of Texas Arlington, The Juilliard School Extension Division, and The MediaTech Institute in Dallas and was awarded teaching fellowships both at The Juilliard School and The University of North Texas. Further studies include Bel Canto at Caramoor and a full fellowship at Aspen Music School.
Dr. Liston presented the subject of her dissertation Pieces of 9/11: Memories from Houston by Jake Heggie, along with her daughter in July 2022 at the NATS National Convention in Chicago they are preparing additional performances for the fall of 2026 both in New York and Texas in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Julie is proud to sing along with her family, Bert K. Johnson (bass) and daughter Ava Johnson (future broadway star!) who reside in New York City.