Biography

Craig Hella Johnson is an American conductor, composer, arranger, and educator best known as the Founding Artistic Director of Conspirare, the internationally acclaimed professional choir and nonprofit arts organization based in Austin, Texas. Under his artistic leadership, Conspirare has earned twelve GRAMMY Award nominations and won the 2015 GRAMMY Award for Best Choral Performance.

Johnson's work is recognized for its emotional depth, stylistic versatility, and commitment to musical storytelling. His concert-length oratorio *Considering Matthew Shepard*, composed in response to the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, has been performed by professional and university ensembles throughout the United States and internationally.

As a guest conductor, Johnson has led professional choirs, orchestras, and festival ensembles across North America and Europe. In addition to his work with Conspirare, he serves as Professor of Practice in the School of Music at Texas State University, where he teaches conducting.

Johnson earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Yale University. His recordings, compositions, and arrangements have been widely recognized for their artistic excellence and continue to reach audiences through concert performances, recordings, broadcasts, and documentary productions.
- IMDb mini biography by: Conspirare Staff