CARP – Bringing more than 20 years of performing experience and two music degrees, Jennifer Johnson’s new studio in Carp is going to make the Village Station in Carp sound great.

A Corkery resident, Johnson has just opened the doors on her new studio in Carp where she operates Gambit Music Academy. Johnson has slowly been downsizing her cities. After 20 years as “a working musician” in Montreal, Johnson took a brief move to Kingston before arriving in Corkery.

“I decided I was sick of the big city,” Johnson told West Carleton Online from her new studio on Tuesday, July 9. “Kingston wasn’t rural enough. Corkery, it’s amazing, I love it.”

Not only is Johnson a professional in the field, she’s a top-notch student. Johnson has Royal Conservatory accreditation, a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition and a Master’s Degree in Musicology. While in Kingston, she taught at Queen’s University.

But West Carleton Online is only interested in the rock-and-roll lifestyle.

“It really varied,” Johnson said. “I put out one album that was that was folksy, bluesy, country. I was in a prog rock band (progressive rock from the late ‘60s and ‘70s), sang in a choir. I mostly played keyboards, guitar and vocals.”

She also did some sound engineering.

Johnson’s first instrument was the piano at age four. At age 11 and 12 she started on the violin and guitar and started singing.

While Johnson teaches out of her Corkery home, she wanted to have a studio that was dedicated to just music. It’s located on the second floor of the newly renovated Carp Village Square. The perfect spot for a building devoted to the arts with a pop-up West Carleton Art Gallery, antique shop and flower shop below.

Johnson moved to Corkery just last November but has already made herself a contributing member in her new community. She is volunteering with the Corkery Community Association and has taken on a organizing role with concert operations during the Concerts in the Park series every Thursday in Fitzroy Harbour in July.

And then she opened a studio.

“I just kind of jumped in with both feet,” Johnson said. “I’ve always wanted to have a space that was mine and not my house. I love the space, the porch, Carp. My ultimate goal is starting off small, but I would like to grow.”

Johnson is also a practitioner of Jiu Jitsu.

“My big dream is to have a larger space for youth, with music and physical activity.”

Johnson says she prides herself in being able to “read” her students.

“Especially young students,” she said. “Sometimes it can be difficult to engage younger students. I sort of use a choose your own adventure style. After 23 years of teaching, I’ve got a good read. I’m far more interested in developing a love for music then have them be able to play Mozart in a month. I love kids and I love music.”

Johnson offers group classes, workshops, families and private lessons. But she’s not giving up the rock and roll lifestyle either.

“I’m going to start to do the circuit,” she said. “The open mics, hopefully pick up a few gigs.”

Johnson has a few free events planned to introduce herself to the community.

Saturdays in August (3, 10, 17 and 24) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Free Musical Crafts Workshop – all ages. Music-themed crafts and activities. Spaces are limited due to space, so email gambit.academy2018@gmail.com to reserve your space soon. 

From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Porchfest Snacks and Songs. Come hang out on the Village Station porch, have a snack and sing some songs with Jennifer. Bring an instrument or something to bang on if you like, or just come to listen…anything goes. All ages, everyone welcome. (Free)

Tunes for Toddlers (ages 3 to 5) – Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

$60 per child for a four-week session. Introduce your child to music in this fun group class. We learn basic musical concepts like notes and dynamics through fun and interactive games and singalongs. Limited space so email gambit.academy2018@gmail.com to reserve your space and register now.