Philip Johnson began learning violin at the age of 10, studying with symphony players in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Baylor University. His teachers include Bernard and Rivka Mandelkern, Sally Thomas, Charles Castleman, and Kristin Lindley, and he has coached with concertmasters of eight major orchestras.
His summer studies were at the Meadowmount School of Music, Quartet Program, and Tanglewood Music Institute.
Since joining the San Antonio Symphony in 1983, he has been an active performer throughout San Antonio and South Texas. He was Concertmaster of the Mid-Texas Symphony for ten years, and from 2004-07 he served as Operations Manager for Youth Orchestras of San Antonio.
In addition to local freelance playing, he currently teaches at St. Mary’s University, conducts sectional rehearsals at several local high schools, and has a studio of nine private students. His wife, Deana, is an oboist and high school orchestra director, and they have three children, one of whom is pursuing a career in violin performance.
For fun, Phil hits the biking trails and tennis courts with Deana, and in the summers, the family vacations all around the country, visiting baseball parks wherever possible!