Kingston Johnson

Biography

School/Class: DeKalb School of the Arts, Class of 2029
ASO Instructor: Gloria Jones Allgood
Other Musical Affiliations: Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, DeKalb Youth Symphony Orchestra
Summer Camps: Interlochen Arts Camp Double Bass Intensive, Atlanta Festival Academy

Kingston Johnson is a double bass student at DeKalb School of the Arts (Class of 2029). He began his double bass studies at age 11 under the direction of Carissa Walker at DeKalb Arts Academy and currently performs with the DeKalb School of the Arts Sinfonia Orchestra under Jonathan Carmack. In the fall of 2025, Kingston was selected for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program (TDP), where he studies with ASO Associate Principal Bassist Gloria Jones Allgood.

Since Joining TDP, Kingston has served as Principal Bass of the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) and actively performs with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) and the DeKalb Youth Symphony Orchestra (DYSO), where he won first prize in the 2026 DYSO Concerto Competition. His summer training includes the Interlochen Arts Camp Double Bass Intensive under the mentorship of renowned pedagogues Larry Hurst and Kurt Muroki, as well as the Atlanta Festival Academy.

His broader musical development also includes an interest in cognitive musicology and neural reconstruction, through which he researches how music can aid brain recovery and serve as a therapeutic tool for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. His passion for music is fueled by his avid listening to classical works, particularly those by Dvořák, Shostakovich, Koussevitzky, and Prokofiev.

Kingston is grateful for the support of TDP, which continues to inspire his dedication to excellence on the double bass.