Bryn Du's Artist in Residence Program

Bryn Du Mansion is proud to welcome A. Paul Johnson as our Summer Artist-in-Residence, and our first composer to hold the role. An internationally performed composer, Paul’s work bridges classical music and musical theater, with performances by renowned orchestras and theater companies around the world. His career includes collaborations with leading artists, prestigious fellowships (including the Kennedy Center) and multiple Pulitzer Prize nominations in music.​

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More About A. Paul

Composer A. Paul Johnson displays a diverse talent, equally comfortable in the classical world and in musical theater. A native of the Indianapolis area, Paul’s music has been presented worldwide in concert halls and theaters. 

After initially studying composition and conducting with Thomas Briccetti of the Indianapolis Symphony, Paul spent additional time studying in New York with Ned Rorem and Michael Colgrass, followed by a fellowship through the National Institute for Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that put Paul under the mentorship of Carlisle Floyd at the University of Houston. 

After having spent time in the musical theater world in New York, Paul initially focussed much of his compositional output on musical theater. His theatrical works have been performed by a wide range of theatrical groups, including American Stage, Asolo Theater Festival, Hippodrome (Gainesville, FL), Indianapolis Repertory Theatre, and Theatre Project Company (St. Louis, MO). In addition to producing original works, Paul has worked as Musical and Stage Director for many theater companies, as well as working
with Frank Ferrante as his Musical Director. 

Both Carlisle Floyd and Norbert Neuss of the Fine Arts Society in Indianapolis strongly encouraged Paul’s work in concert music. Through periods of living both in the Indianapolis area and central Florida, Paul developed relationships with many local ensembles that blossomed into relationships with international ensembles as well. Paul has received commissions from ensembles including the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Central Florida Symphony, Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, and Sydney Mandolins. Other prominent performers have included the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic, Slovak Radio Orchestra, and Warsaw National Philharmonic.  His Serenade No. 4 “La Graciela” has also been recorded by internationally renowned clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. 

In addition to the Kennedy Center fellowship early in Paul’s career, he has twice been nominated for Pulitzer Prizes in music and was the recipient of a fellowship through the National Endowment for the Arts that provided original music for programs in the prison systems.  Additional fellowships and grants have been awarded by the Florida Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, Meet the Composer, and Arts Midwest, as well as many local arts organizations. 

Prior to being represented by Performer’s Edition, Paul operated the Apollo Project in central Florida, a presenting organization that organized performances of Paul’s works along with many other contemporary composers. Numerous recordings of these performances were released along with a variety of interdisciplinary programs including music, dance, television, and museums.