Steve Johnson
Midday Host/AnnouncerA native of Herndon, Virginia, Steve first came to Rochester as a student at the Eastman School of Music. He has loved classical music and public media since his youth, when he was inspired by the radio broadcasts of Rob Kapilow on his local NPR affiliate. He pursued this love through college, having earned his Bachelor's in Music Education and Master's in Musicology at Indiana University and, most recently, his Ph.D. in Musicology at Eastman. His Alfred Mann Award-winning dissertation discussed the relationship between nationalist politics and opera in North Korea.
Steve is also host of WXXI’s In the Key of Z: Classical, a dynamic digital-first series that celebrates the emerging classical talent of the Rochester region. Through captivating live performances and insightful interviews, the series introduces audiences to the next generation of classical performers. These talented artists share their musical foundations and aspirations for the future.
Steve has advocated for classical music on social media for years. He got his start on YouTube with his award-winning webseries The Listener's Guide and collaborated with the Dallas Opera on their series Opera in Brief that gave synopses of their productions through humorous stick-figure sketches. Now, he is active on TikTok and Instagram promoting WXXI programming every day—be sure to follow him for all the latest content!
When he's not in the studio, Steve loves playing board games, gardening, and keeping fit, and he's always looking for his next new fascination here in Rochester!
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Quirky, sensual, heartwarming, and altogether groovy, Bob Fosse's 1969 film directorial debut comes to The Little in a special "Roadshow Version," including an overture, intermission, and exit music. Join us for a screening and discussion March 29th at 3pm. -
Eastman alum Max Otto Matzen captivates with his new album from MSR Classics -
This month, favorite holiday albums old and new are in the CD spotlight at WXXI Classical. -
Kearstin Brown interviews Paola Prestini about her new Foley opera Silent Light opening this weekend at the Eastman School of Music -
Eastman professor Crystal Sellers Battle opens the George Walker Center Recital Series this Wednesday with music celebrating her Black heritage. -
Symphonic music for many moods from the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and Pulitizer-Prize winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich in WXXI's CD Spotlight July 30th through August 12th. Read more and listen up. -
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Think you know Vivaldi's music? Think again, and take a wild musical journey with Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante in the latest CD Spotlight from WXXI Classical. -
An energetic quiet descends on the auditorium as the light dims. You welcome the concertmaster with polite applause, and he leads the orchestra in one…
