EDIE JOHNSONis the Organist and Music Associate at Church Street United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Music at University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she teaches private organ and courses in organ literature and church music. Ms. Johnson previously served as Assistant Organist/Choir Director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Seminary Organist and Affiliate Professor of Church Music at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.
At age 13, Ms. Johnson began organ study with Johnny Bradburn at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C. She completed the B. Mus. in organ, Magna cum laude, at Furman University, as a student of Charles Tompkins. She then earned both the Master and Doctor of Music degrees at Indiana University, studying with Larry Smith. Ms. Johnson has also studied organ with Marilyn Keiser and harpsichord with Elizabeth Wright. Her piano study has been with Derek Parsons, David Gibson, George Kiorpes and Alice Ann Johnson.
Ms. Johnson has won prizes in many organ performance competitions including first place in the John Rodland organ and church music scholarship competition. She has performed for national conventions of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Organ Historical Society, and the National General Assembly of the Disciples of Christ Church. Several of her performances have been broadcast on American Public Media’s Pipedreams. In the summer of 2011, Ms. Johnson premiered Pamela Decker’s first concerto for organ, El Tigre, at the Region IV AGO convention. She is scheduled to be a featured performer and presenter at the 2015 Region V AGO Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
Ms. Johnson is also actively involved in the work of RSCM America. She has served on its Board of Directors and is currently chairperson of the Interdenominational Committee. At the Charlotte Summer Course, she has been both Housemaster and Course Organist.
particular interest is the use of mental imagery and rehearsal in music learning, teaching and performing. Ms. Johnson has given many presentations to universities, American Guild of Organists chapters and conventions, and to the Association of Anglican Musicians based on her doctoral paper that discusses techniques to optimize practice sessions and relieve performance anxieties. She studies Alexander Technique with Lilly Sutton.
Ms. Johnson resides in Knoxville, TN, with her husband, Jason Overall, an employee of Goulding & Wood, Inc. and Organist/Choirmaster at St. James Episcopal Church in Knoxville, and their son, James, a curious and active first grader.