Ginny Johnston wears lots of hats!
As a professional musician, Ginny embraces a wide variety of styles and activities – from classical clarinetist and composer, to songwriter and vocalist, to conductor. She received her Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude, University Scholar) from Syracuse University and her Master of Music (with Honors) from Boston University in both composition and clarinet performance. She has also studied choral conducting at Westminster Choir College through its Continuing Education department.
As an actor, Ginny has stepped into many different roles through her work in improv comedy (performing with Maplewood NJ-based improv troupe “Whatever, Dad” since 2017) and community theater, recently receiving a 2023 NJACT Perry Nomination for Leading Actress for her role as Charlotte in Stony Hill Players’ production of Moon Over Buffalo. She has trained with The Barrow Group, The Deborah Kym Studio, and The Magnet Theater.
Ginny recently completed a 13-year tenure as Executive Director of The Discovery Orchestra, a music education organization whose mission is to teach listening skills to help people connect with classical music. She is currently Finance Director of the organization. The Orchestra focuses on digital programs, with six award-winning public television shows, radio and podcast programs, and other video and educator resources to its credit. Ginny is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, vocalist, and drummer.
Conducting and Philanthropy
Ginny studied choral conducting through Westminster Choir College’s Continuing Education program and received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University. As a conductor, she leads the Triad Vocal Ensemble. Under the umbrella of Triad Arts Ensemble (a non-profit performing arts organization which she co-founded in 1992), this adult community choir specializes in accessible contemporary repertoire as well as traditional works, with a focus on female composers and New Jersey composers. Through Triad since 1997, Ginny has helped produce annual Canticles for Life AIDS Benefit Concerts to raise funds for three New Jersey organizations that support those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, more than $200,000 has been raised for this music ministry. Ginny was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Garden State Symphonic Band in January 2023, and serves as Associate Conductor for the Maplewood (NJ) Concert Band.
Clarinetist and Composer
Ginny has been an active free-lance clarinetist (and saxophone doubler) in the greater NJ area for over 25 years. She is a long-time member of the Garden State Symphonic Band and often performs with the Encore Orchestra of NJ , as well as in pits for musicals and operas. As a composer, she has written instrumental and choral music for various sized ensembles. Ethos Publications specializes in music written for clarinet and saxophone, and two of her works are included in their catalog. Other compositions are available online at J.W. Pepper.
Folk Rock Musician and More
Ginny started writing songs as a young girl and then began co-writing with friends in high school. Over the years she has continued to write on her own and in collaboration with lyricist/poet Gretchen Hill and others. After graduate school, Ginny formed a folk-rock band, Mosaic, with several colleagues. She has performed solo and with Mosaic in various settings over the years including coffeehouses, outdoor festivals, First Night Celebrations, and private events. The band often expands its repertoire to include standards and blues when guest pianist Dan Crisci (Ginny’s husband) joins. The band has released two albums of Ginny’s original music to date.
As a teen, Ginny studied the drums and then continued to perform in the percussion ensemble when a student at Syracuse University. Since then, she has performed as a drummer in numerous community theater productions and more recently with husband Dan Crisci as part of a jazz duo highlighting his original music.
RECENT THEATER
Sleeping Beauty
the Queen
Trilogy Repertory Company (2024)
A Murder Is Announced
Dora (“Bunny”)
Lord Stirling Theater (2023)
Moon Over Buffalo
Charlotte (2023 NJ Leading Actress Perry nomination)
Stony Hill Players (2023)
Improv & Sketch Shows
Ensemble
Magnet Theater (2017-present)
Whatever, Dad
Founding Member
Improv Troupe (2017-present)
THEATER TRAINING (at The Barrow Group, The Deborah Kym Studio, The Magnet Theater)
ACTING: Deborah Kym, Ron Piretti, Edward Stanley
IMPROV: Rick Andrews, Elana Fishbein, Lulu French, Louis Kornfeld
AUDITION TECHNIQUE: Deborah Kym