Violinist Bright Johnston currently studies at The Juilliard School with Laurie Smukler, where she is pursuing her Master of Music degree. She previously completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance under Aaron Berofsky. At age fifteen, Johnston made her orchestral debut with the Montecito International Music Festival Orchestra. In 2025, she was named a finalist in the University of Michigan’s Concerto Competition, and was awarded the Gold Prize at the 2020 MASTA Competition in her first year at the University of Michigan.

Johnston has participated in several prestigious summer programs including the Aspen Music Festival, Kneisel Hall, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the Chautauqua School of Music. At these festivals, she collaborated closely with her peers and distinguished faculty such as Laurie Smukler, Joel Krosnick, Kathleen Winkler, and Richard Aaron, performing a diverse range of solo and chamber repertoire. She has also played in masterclasses for Stefan Jackiew, Ida Kavafian, Ray Chen, Ilya Kaler, and Mihaela Martin among others.

During her time at the University of Michigan, Johnston served as Concertmaster and Principal Second Violin of the University Philharmonic Orchestra, leading the ensemble in performances at Hill Auditorium. In New York City, she has performed in Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall and was awarded Aspen Music Festival’s 2024 New Horizon’s Fellowship as a member of the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra.

Alongside her performance career, Johnston is deeply committed to music education and community engagement. She is a recipient of Juilliard’s 2025-2026 Morse Teaching Fellowship, where fellows develop instructional skills and teach students in schools and community music programs. Through this fellowship, she works with the orchestral director of All-City Orchestra to provide sectionals and instruction to public high school students across all five boroughs.