Meet Charlie Johnson of Tecumseh, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Johnson.

Hi Charlie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began with a deep love of music from an early age—something I was fortunate to pursue all the way through college. I’m incredibly grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support along the way. I earned my Bachelor of Music in Performance from Adrian College and later completed my Master’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Toledo. In 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to study and perform at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy. I’m also passionate about advocating for representation in music. I was honored to receive the Adrian College Undergraduate Research Grant for a project focused on the visibility of female composers in art song. Through surveying performers nationally and internationally, my research aimed to promote greater inclusion of women composers in the vocal repertoire.
After finishing my degrees, I found myself unsure of my relationship with music. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it anymore, or if my love for it had been too damaged by the constant pursuit of excellence. I think a lot of musicians in academia can relate—there’s so much pressure, constant critique, and information coming at you that it can both help and harm young artists. I needed time and space to heal my connection with my own voice. That meant stepping away for a bit and going back to the basics.
I began writing music again—just for myself—as a way to process everything I’d been through growing up, in school, and as I transitioned into adulthood. To my surprise, the songs just started pouring out. I was writing all the time. Eventually, someone recommended I reach out to an organization called APG (Above Pete’s Garage), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit music recording studio that creates space and opportunity for audio and visual artists to create, connect, learn, and share. I began working with their Executive Director and producer, Peter Bishop, to whom I couldn’t be more grateful.
That’s where I really started to explore commercial music and began recording songs I hadn’t shared with anyone in years.
Out of that came my first single, “History of Me @ 16,” which tells the story of moving forward after my family went through a house fire that led to an arson trial—an event that brought deep pain and hardship into our lives. I wrote the song nearly ten years after the fire, and after a lot of healing, reflection, and growth. It was incredibly therapeutic.
The next two songs I released also came from personal experiences I’d been processing. Since then, I’ve continued diving into the world of commercial music, teaching private voice students, and working with young singers and songwriters as they chase their own dreams. I’m now an Adjunct Professor at Adrian College, where I’m grateful to teach Music Production alongside Pete Bishop, as well as Applied Voice to music students. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I love helping students build healthy vocal technique and explore positive, creative ways to make and perform music.
More than anything, I want students to grow not just as musicians, but as people—confident in their voices, excited about their craft, and empowered to keep going, even when faced with criticism or adversity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. During my education, I hit a few major bumps that made me feel like a failure at times. I’m a big people pleaser, and I’ve always strived to meet the milestones that come with academic success. I was a 4.0 student, constantly pushing myself to achieve—often through pain, discomfort, and unprocessed trauma.
Instead of acknowledging what I needed or how I was feeling, I kept going, convincing myself that if I just worked hard enough, things would fall into place. That kind of pressure eventually pushed me straight into burnout.
After graduation, I felt completely lost and unsure of what direction to take. I had to pause and take a hard look in the mirror to figure out what I really wanted out of life.
I won’t pretend I have it all figured out—because I don’t—but there was one thing I knew for sure, something I could feel deep in my heart: I still loved music. I felt it bubbling up inside me when I was quietly strumming my guitar outside, singing in the car, or even just listening to a song that moved me to tears. That’s the power of music—it’s universal, emotional, and incredibly human.
Realizing that helped me start to heal my relationship with music and rediscover what role I wanted it to play in my life. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m committed to that journey.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a lot of hats! Currently, I work as an Adjunct Professor teaching music at both Jackson College and my alma mater, Adrian College. I’m incredibly grateful to teach courses like Music Production, Music History, and Voice. It’s been an amazing experience to work with young musicians and support them in their creative and educational journeys. I teach classical voice, musical theater, and commercial music—this is also what I’m passionate about performing.
In addition to teaching, I serve as an Academic Advisor, helping students navigate their path through college—something I’m really passionate about, especially as someone who’s been in their shoes.
And last, but certainly not least, I’m an active performer. I’m lucky to record and produce original music and regularly perform at events and venues across Michigan and Ohio throughout the year.
What I’m most proud of is being able to merge these different parts of my life—educator, advisor, and artist—into something that feels meaningful and authentic. I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect with people through both music and mentorship. I’ve been through a lot in my own journey, and I bring that experience into everything I do—creating space for others to grow, take risks, and be heard.

What are your plans for the future?
No big changes for now—I plan to keep creating and sharing music. I’m really excited to dive deeper into releasing more of my own songs and continuing to tell my story through my work. I’m also passionate about mentoring emerging singer-songwriters and helping them grow in their own unique way, both musically and personally.
I hope to continue using my artistry to bridge classical and commercial music. Recently, I was honored to receive First Place in the Advanced Commercial Music category for the Great Lakes Region in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition.
I’m hoping to release a new song by the end of the summer, so keep an eye out for that! You can find my music on Spotify and Apple Music under Charlie J, and visit my website authenticvocalexpression.com for more info and updates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.authenticvocalexpression.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbycharliej
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552984405226
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@charliejmusic?si=gds978bWYacf5Eya
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1osaLH7PcgVz5irHHTovyN?si=0SKZgC_zTXO6UU7ty9wWYw