Brian Johnson joined Madison Ballet as Executive Director in July of 2003. He grew up in the Madison-area and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a music degree in percussion performance. He performed as a free-lance musician in Oklahoma and Colorado before returning home to Wisconsin. He has a variety of performing, teaching, composing and arranging experience, including 13 years with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. A published composer, Mr. Johnson still performs on a free-lance basis with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and other groups in Madison. After returning to Madison in 1997, Mr. Johnson took a position at Lincoln Financial Advisors and eventually became Financial Planning Manger. His capacities at Lincoln were numerous and included training new financial planners, conducting financial research and analysis for clients, developing organizational procedures for the firm and consulting on strategic planning issues for the regional company.

Seeking a new career closer to his passions of youth development and the arts, Mr. Johnson is now in his third season with Madison Ballet. Under his leadership in this short tenure the organization has increased its performance schedule, started a professional ballet school with its own rehearsal facilities, formed a new volunteer group to support the company, permanently acquired a major full-length production of Cinderella, increased fundraising activities and results from all donor types, and has generally enjoyed greater visibility throughout the community.