Morgen Johnson

Cellist Morgen Johnson has distinguished herself as a versatile artist whose wide-ranging musical abilities and passionate performances have taken her to stages across North America and Asia. Her artistry has been featured in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Shanghai Grand Theater, where her expressive playing and creative enthusiasm have earned her recognition as both a soloist and collaborator.

Originally from Michigan, Morgen studied at The Juilliard School and Rice University, where she trained with renowned cellists Bonnie Hampton, Norman Fischer, and Christopher French. She has since built a career that balances orchestral, chamber, and solo performance with a strong commitment to community engagement and education.

A devoted chamber musician, Morgen has performed with ensembles such as Urban Nocturnes and Downtown Chamber Series in Phoenix, Olmos Ensemble, Camerata San Antonio and Agarita in San Antonio, and has worked with world-renowned groups including the Juilliard String Quartet, Maia Quartet, and Pacifica Quartet. As a founding member of the Toomai Quintet, she won first prize in New York’s 92nd Street Y Chamber Music Competition in 2007, establishing the ensemble as a vibrant presence in the chamber music world.

Morgen is also an accomplished orchestral musician. A former member of the San Antonio Symphony, she performs each summer with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. Ms. Johnson was a fellow with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in the summers of 2006-2007, and she has since played with orchestras including the Houston Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Traverse Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, Ms. Johnson joined the Phoenix Symphony where she has explored new musical collaborations while experiencing the vibrancy of the city.

Beyond the concert stage, Morgen is passionate about using music to connect with audiences of all ages. She regularly participates in outreach performances, bringing chamber music into schools and community spaces, and she is committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians. Ms. Johnson also plays at numerous shelters around Phoenix in hopes of bringing respite to underserved communities. 

Morgen lives in Phoenix with her husband, cellist Ryan Murphy, and their daughter Tallulah, where she continues to pursue her mission of sharing music as a force for creativity, connection, and joy.