We were lucky to catch up with Zoe Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zoe, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Everyone has to decide what their status quo is, and they can choose to go above, below or stay at it. In American culture, children are universally taught that college is the road to success in your adulthood. Hardly ever is it challenged. Everyone can’t be famous or a model, so we go as a safety net. I thought if I could become a nurse, I would be set for the rest of my life, even though I loved music and playing the violin. Fortunately, my parents knew my desire and told me to stick to my talents. Fast-forwarding, it was a great decision. I am actually using my degree to use. I went to music school to improve my violin skills, and I did. With that, I learned and gained so much more. Of course, doing the same thing every year can get exhausting. You look at your peers and start to think if you are selling yourself short. You feel like your life is at a standstill, and you can’t escape the inertia. What I did first is take a step back. Breaks are always recommended. They are needed. Then, I took my inspirations and put my own spin to it. Finally, I pushed myself beyond what I thought my limits were and push past my fear of failure. I never thought I could be an original artist or create anything from scratch. Going to college was my safety net. I could make money teaching, and I could use my degree to be hired for orchestras, operas, jobs such as that. Now, here I am, working on an album. My first single came out on February 2nd, and I am currently working on arrangements and compositions for groups of strings. God has unlocked potentials I didn’t know I had, and I believe I am now living on purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a musician and teacher. My primary instrument is violin, and I teach violin and viola. My typical week is playing music in different places during the day and teaching in the evenings. On the weekends, I have events to play for such as weddings, restaurants, parties, orchestras, etc. I am also an upcoming artist and composer. I have a single called “Dawn” that is now available on all streaming platforms. It is an instrumental song, and I did the entire production from the music to the percussion. I have done multiple arrangements and have created an original piece. I typically write music for string ensembles like quartets and orchestras. I am aspiring to write original pieces for string quartets that are appealing to the ears of black audiences. I am also currently working on my first album. I hope to have my own nonprofit of teaching free violin lessons to the underserved children of Memphis. If I were to own a studio or center, I would provide services of the arts; lessons for music, dance, and teaching of composition and improvisation. What excites me the most is having the opportunity to becoming a full-time worker of music. I love playing and making music; I also have a passion for the youth. While I am fulfilling my music degree, I am also blessed to show off my authenticity.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe everyone must have a sense of purpose; think about what they want to leave behind. I recommend starting as early as high school about their skills and what they want to be. Growing up as black girl in Memphis, I was fortunate to see a level of black excellence from my family, church, and specifically the young adults in my church. However, I think one of the mistakes we teach our young people is to look out for themselves. Once they graduate high school, they’re supposed to go out into the world, travel, and be selfish in the prime of their adult years. There will never be a more glorious time in a person’s life than when they are in their twenties. I am using mine to give my best to Memphis. It is best while I have my highest energy, wit and flexibility. I thought that way until my junior year of college. I knew I wanted to be a light to my community and give back. The next quality is have to have a good village and connections. If you didn’t have a good village growing up, it’s best to find yourself one and build your own. I am the first one to say that I would be the success that I am today if I did not have an amazing village; positive adult examples pouring into my life. They taught me to put God first in my life and live by His calling and not by the standard of the world. They taught me to value family and how healthy it is to have a team. The final one is pretty redundant, but everyone must have a passion. Develop it, master it, and find a way to profit from it. That can be with anything.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I never thought I would be creating a solo album that would actually be made to be heard around the world, but here I am. It is definitely the most difficult task I have done so far. As of right now, I have two original songs under my belt. My goal is to have ten on the album. I would like the put the album out this summer 2024, but I want it to be a quality album. I may have to push it till the beginning of 2025, but I am trying to pace myself and write down anytime an idea comes to mind. Between my multiple students a week and having gigs increasingly more often, my time management needs improving. This last year of my life has proven the importance of having a healthy lifestyle such as diet and exercise. I am not a morning person, and my exercise schedule is not consistent. Those are two aspects I am determined to change. Early bird gets the worm, and I can get the entirety of the day. It will give me more time before having to go teach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avidviolin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100022583527747
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5dhROeBAt92sOMJ3M_dNew
- Other: linktr.ee/avidviolin
Image Credits
Nicole Johnson, Malik M.K.J Johnson, Elizabeth Vander Veen
