Laura Johnson received her Master of Music Education (Conducting Concentration) degree from Old Dominion University in 2020. As a graduate assistant in the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music, Laura served as the graduate conductor for the ODU Wind Ensemble, ODU Symphonic Band, Monarch Marching Band, and Monarch Basketball Band. Laura studied conducting with Dr. Brian Diller and performed as a clarinetist in the ODU Wind Ensemble, ODU Symphony Orchestra, and ODU Clarinet Choir. She currently performs with the Virginia Wind Symphony. During her degree at ODU, Laura wrote a thesis titled “Gender-Specific Mentorship for Collegiate Female Band Directors” with assistance from Dr. Douglas Owens. During the 2019 season, Laura served on staff with the Hickory Marching Hawks at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, VA. Laura holds the title of Assistant Conductor of the Bay Youth Wind Symphony, working under the guidance of Mr. Dennis Zeisler in 2019 and Dr. Brian Diller in 2020. She is currently the band director at Oscar Smith Middle School in Chesapeake, VA.

Originally from Minnesota, Laura received a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. In 2016, Laura held the position of Dean of Students with the Lutheran Summer Music Program. Upon graduation, she taught middle school band and general music at Sartell Middle School in Sartell, MN. Additionally, Laura has been an instructor at multiple summer band camps in Eagan, MN and Roseville, MN. She served on staff with the Rosemount Marching Band, which placed at the Golden Regiment Invitational (Blue Springs, MO), the Youth in Music Band Championships (Minneapolis, MN), and the Bands of America Super Regional Competition (St. Louis, MO). Laura has performed with and conducted ensembles on both a national and international scale, making her international conducting debut with the Windiana Concert Band during their tour of Italy in 2018.

Laura Johnson is a proud member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Women Band Directors International, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, and Kappa Kappa Psi.