A native of Florida, Richard Johnson holds a Bachelors of Music from Florida State University, and is currently completing his Masters of Music at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with David Leisner.  He has studied with guitarists including Bruce Holzman, Andrew Zohn, Xavier Jara, Alvaro Pierri, and Antigoni Goni, and has performed extensively in places such as Italy and Quebec for competitions and recitals. He has also had the privilege to perform along side the Venice Symphony, Bradenton Symphony, The Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra and as a member of the Viotarra Duo. Richard is also the recipient of renown scholarships/awards from foundations and organizations such as the Gaston Dufresne Foundation and GuitarSarasota organization. In 2018 and 2021, Richard helped raised thousands of dollars by hosting and performing in charity concerts for “Music Heals Us”, an organization that raises money for pediatric cancer patients in the Tampa Bay Area.  

Richard has extensive teaching experience, and has taught at The Manatee School for the Arts and was Director of Guitar Studies at the Suzuki Institute of Music before joining the faculty of the Anselmo Academy.