Michael Johnson OAM

Michael Johnson has been composing and recording since 1976. Originally performing as a rock musician in Melbourne music venues, he later moved to utilising his skills as a multi instrumental performer, touring with a trio in Victoria and South Australia. Here he was introduced to the harp and never looked back....
He is the instigator of Lyrebird Music (the recording label) and the Twilight Music concert series.
He plays various instruments but is probably best known for his work on the harp. His concerts and recordings feature this instrument but also include percussion, guitar, piano and various classical and world music instruments. Michael should be familiar to audiences throughout Australia. His compositions are regularly aired on national radio and television.
He has been the resident musician at a number of locations (Including Healesville Sanctuary). For over a twenty years, Michael has been stationed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, performing in the “harp the Gardens” recitals, concerts on the lake and "Twilight Music" concerts, providing his music for thousands of overseas guests and visitors to the gardens.
As well as a concert performer, Michael has been working in the field of music for meditation . His tranquil harp music has been an integral part of the Mindfulness Music program at the Gawler Foundation for over twenty years and Delmont psychiatric hospitalfor 12 years. The Royal Botanic Gardens have also embraced Michael's experience of using music as a tool for mindfulness. They have asked him to run the harp meditations in the new meditative wellbeing gardens as part of the healthy lifestyle program.

In 2023, Michael was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the King's Birthday Honours List. The citation for the award is for service to music as a performer and teacher. He has performed alongside an eclectic combination of artists such as Tony Gould, Imogen Manins, David Jones, Wilber Wilde, Gary Young, Judy Jacques, Kavisha Mazzella, Victorian State Opera, James Morrison, Judith Durham, David Herschfelder, The Melbourne Welsh Male Choir, Jane Rutter, Suzanne Johnston, Donald Cant...
He has performed as a guest artist on many CDs but most notably on albums by David Jones & Greaham Goble (Founding member of the Little River Band).
To listen to Greaham's piece featuring Michael Johnson, click Here.
...and Here. The opening piece, "Fragile Heart" feature's Michael's harp playing and colleague, David Jones on ABC recordings.

Michael regularly performs as a solo artist, but also with groups and ensembles such as Breathe Music, Light of the Moon and Time traveller.

Harps are supplied by Andrew Thom Harps and Harps Australia