BA, Music Eduction, San Diego State University, 1976

MS, Secondary Education, Utah State University, 1985

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Certification, History and Social Studies, 2002

After public school participation in a multitude of musical ensembles, Johnston attended San Diego State University in 1972.  While at SDSU, Johnston participated in many of the musical opportunities  that such a large University could provided. Additionally, Carl Warner and Dan Magnusson, both clarinetists  with the San Diego Symphony, provided a broad background in classical repertoire through their private studio instruction.   Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Minor in History in 1976, Johnston completed the required 5th year Education Degree for California state licensure.  Johnston moved to Mesquite, Nevada in 1979,  where he taught all the music ensembles at Virgin Valley High School.  Gary Caldwell discovered he had a clarinet player in the area, so looked up Johnston and invited him to play in various community groups beginning in 1989. This began Johnston’s long association with the Southwest Symphony and led to adjunct instructor  positions in clarinet instruction at both Dixie State University and Southern Utah University. Johnston currently plays with the Southwest Symphony and is an adjunct instructor of clarinet at Dixie State University.