Interview by Rakia Reynolds

SHE IS: The music director and founder of Philadelphia’s Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse classical musical ensembles, currently in its second year.

EARLY INSPIRATION: Johnson grew up listening to an eclectic mix of gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical music. Her love affair with conducting began when she attended her first orchestra concert at age 7. “I saw one person bossing all the musicians around, and I was hooked,” says Johnson, who now leads a core team of 30 musicians.

MAJOR MOMENT: In 2005, Johnson became the first African-American woman to win the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship, a prestigious honor awarded to rising female orchestra leaders.

AURAL SENSATIONS: The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra has held several performances at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. This summer, the group is slated to appear at the city’s EnterActive Arts Concert at Penn’s Landing.

For more information, visit blackpearlco.org.