FPYO

When you meet Chris Johns, he would strike you as being easy-going, friendly and unassuming. You won’t know that he’s the principal cellist of the LaGrange Symphony, a conductor for the intermediate orchestra of the Fayette Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, a private music instructor or a shop owner.

 

Growing up, Chris was destined to be a creative artist or a performing musician. Chris’ father, Dean, was as prolific in visual arts as his mother, Elaine, was gifted in music. His father designed and produced tapestry, gallery jewelry, pottery and metal artworks with some of his art featured in the Mint Museum of Charlotte another galleries. Chris’ mother was a violinist who taught middle school orchestra and performed with ensembles like the Savannah Symphony and the Florence Symphony. In an environment steeped in artistic and musical talents, it’s hardly surprising that Chris and his siblings followed in their parents’ footsteps. In 2014, Chris combined his music education and entrepreneurship to open a string shop in Peachtree City that became Johns Violin Company. With the recent expansion, it is a one-stop-shop for local musicians.

 

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Chris and his family of four children, ages eight to fourteen, have made Newnan their home since 2014. His three siblings are all musical. His younger brother, Alex, played string bass and would later obtain a degree in recording engineering. His two older sisters, Stephanie and Tasi, both studied violin; Tasi would later turn professional.

 

With mom and sisters as violinists, it was decided that Chris would play a different instrument. At four, Chris began cello studies under the tutelage of his mother’s friend, Jennifer Frisina, who took him as her first student and remained his cello teacher for about ten years. His next cello teacher, Alan Black, the principal cellist of the Charlotte Symphony, significantly influenced his musical development in high school.

 

To advance his musicianship, Chris joined youth orchestras and auditioned for various regional and state orchestras. In his freshman year of college, Chris took on fifteen music students at the Wilmington Academy of Music, a momentous experience that shaped his predilection for teaching. At UNC-Wilmington, Chris focused on cello performance, earning his bachelor’s in 2002.

 

Chris had the unexpected fortune of meeting and reuniting with helpful people who would profoundly impact his life. While researching graduate schools for his master’s in cello performance, he reconnected with his middle school orchestra director, Dr. Skip Taylor, who was teaching at the University of Georgia (UGA) Hugh Hodgson School of Music. As a graduate assistant at UGA, he helped run Dr. Taylor’s summer music camp for three years. Then, a chance encounter with a string proprietor at a music conference gave Chris the golden opportunity to later work for himself after earning his master’s in 2007. A familial entrepreneurial past likely inspired Chris to strike out on his own; Grandfather Gus operated a grocery store, and an uncle owned an auto repair shop.

 

With an advanced music degree and a violin shop, Chris stays musically engaged in the community and afar. Chris continues to hone his performance skills by playing in the LaGrange Symphony and in local churches. In the fall 2024, his collaboration with Chris Ferebee, an old friend from UGA who is currently an adjunct professor at Berry College, took them to the UK for an invitational performance at the Oxford University. They and another friend, Jesse Graves, a professor of English at East Tennessee State University, will be returning to Oxford in the fall of 2025 for another original performance of music inspired by poetry.

 

In addition to operating his shop and “maintaining his chops,” Chris offers private cello lessons and gives back to support music education. Danya Claiborne, a parent of one of his students shared, “He offers expert instruction with a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere. I have enjoyed seeing her musical skills grow over the years...Mr. Johns maintains a busy schedule and I feel blessed that he can work with Rebekah.

 

 

”Chris has been a staunch supporter of the Fayette Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (FPYO) since 2023 when their new Board president approached him about being a sponsor. FPYO is a community based 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides string students the opportunities to develop their musicianship in a collaborative setting. Last fall, Chris became the conductor of their intermediate orchestra when FPYO formed a second ensemble for intermediate musicians. String students interested in playing in a community youth orchestra are invited to audition for either the intermediate or advanced orchestra of FPYO.

 

 

In many ways, Chris has fashioned his life around music. He applies his musical expertise to instruct, perform, conduct and service our community with care. In his words, “Helping musicians and serving their needs are more important than making a one-time transactional sale.” Chris’ journey speaks to self-determination, business acumen and serendipity.