Cited by the New York Times for her “especially lovely” singing, Elissa Johnston enjoys diving into repertoire ranging from Bach, Handel and Monteverdi to Messiaen, Carter and Chinary Ung.

Elissa has appeared as featured soloist with orchestras including the L.A. Philharmonic, L.A. Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Albany Symphony. Recent highlights include Brahms Requiem with Long Beach Symphony, Die Staat by Louis Andriessen with the L.A. Philharmonic, Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne with the National Symphony of Costa Rica, Poulenc’s Gloria at the Palau de la Musica in Barcelona and the world premiere and recording of James MacMillan’s Fiat Lux with Pacific Symphony. She made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Pacific Symphony in Philip Glass’ The Passion of Ramakrishna, as part of Carnegie Hall’s celebration of Philip Glass’ 80th birthday.

With the L.A. Master Chorale, Elissa has appeared as soloist in Beethoven’s Mass in C, Stravinsky’s Les Noces, Bach’s St. John and St. Matthew Passions, and Reena Esmail’s This Love Between Us. She is a member of the ensemble in Peter Sellars’ production of Music to Accompany a Departure, which opened the 2023 Salzburg Festival.

Elissa is delighted to have sung on over 100 film soundtracks, including recent releases Avatar: Fire and Ash, both Wicked and Wicked: For Good, Nope, Twisters, and Superman (2025).