Niki Johnson

In semester one of 2026 I was Acting Head of Percussion at Monash University. I have conducted and programmed percussion ensembles at a high school and tertiary level, taught one on one lessons from primary through tertiary, and have facilitated, organised and run outreach events for percussion education at the tertiary level. I am a versatile and active music educator who aims to foster learning, discipline, and creativity. I have a wealth of experience teaching private lessons, group lessons, and tutoring school music camps for percussion and drum kit students aged 5 - 18. 

I believe private music education, and music education programs, are crucial to a student’s development and learning, regardless of their future occupation. Through music education a student develops a sense of curiosity and creativity, can see tangible results from their own discipline and focus, develops a skill that can be improved and returned to at all stages in their life, improves hand-eye coordination, and exercises both their logic and creative parts of the brain; all skills I believe are crucial to the development of a person. Not only does music education provide these skills, it also begins a person’s personal journey with music as an art form, and that journey in myself and in others is the thing I am the most passionate about sharing, nurturing, and developing.

As well as teaching, I am a freelance contemporary percussionist and artistic researcher. I have been commissioned to compose and perform solo percussion works for the Sydney Powerhouse Museum and Art Gallery of New South Wales, and have a PhD in Music. I have regularly recorded and performed for the ABC, Sydney Opera House, Phoenix Central Park, and Trackdown Fox studios. I perform regularly with chamber ensembles including Ensemble Offspring where I holds the position of Creative Associate. 

Tertiary Teaching Experience:
2026, Monash University, Acting Head of Percussion covering for Louise Devenish / Teaching Associate, 2026 Semester one.
2024 UNSW,  Course Coordinator MUSC3801, Creative Projects in Performance and Composition.

Pre-Tertiary Past Experience:
Private percussion tuition, Sydney
Moriah War Memorial College
Tara Anglican School for Girls
Sydney Percussion Studio
Middle Harbour Public School
Neutral Bay Public School
St John the Baptist Public School
Cherrybrook Music

Instruments provided: 4 and a third Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, aux percussion, tambourine, triangle, cymbals, snare drum.