Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2015

34 | Cedarville Magazine Former OneVoice Singer Flourishes on The Voice It sprouted in middle school, found nurture in youth group, bloomed at Cedarville, and was on glorious display this spring. Cedarville graduate Brian Johnson’s amazing musical gift came to fruition before a national television audience. Johnson ’12 was one of 20 remaining artists for live performances on season eight of The Voice , the NBC singing competition featuring big-time music stars as coaches for aspiring performers. He made it to the top 12 before his time on the show ended April 14. None of this would likely have happened had Johnson’s love of music not been nurtured in youth group and encouraged at Cedarville University. He was bullied as a preteen and teenager. In particular, peers put him down after a middle school show choir performance where he was the only boy among 20 girls. “After that I decided no more music,” Johnson shared. “I’mnot going to do that. I’m going to be quiet and make my way through high school. Music would not be a part of my life, except behind closed doors.” But then he got involved with a youth group at Park Heights Baptist Church in Brook Park, Ohio, near Cleveland. “That’s where a lot of my insecurities fell away,” Johnson said. “In youth group, people thought it was cool that I could sing. And I began to think, ‘I do want to pursue music.’” He formed a band with another youth group kid, Jared Mittelo ’12. He also met his wife, Kellie (Dunger) Johnson ’12, there. They all decided to attend Cedarville. “Cedarville is such a unique campus,” Johnson said. “The cool kids are the kids who do music. The first time I led in chapel, I got messages from folks on Facebook I’d never met, juniors and seniors on campus. They were complimenting my voice and my leadership on stage. Then I went full force into music. If anybody would give me a microphone, I would sing. Cedarville is such a great place for that.” Johnson ended up singingwithOneVoice Gospel Choir, Jubilate, during interruptions in The Hive, in chapel, and with the Jazz Band. He took classes toward a Bachelor of Arts in worship degree. But then something beyond bullying made him take a different turn. His dad, Don, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “I decided music was such a gamble,” Johnson related. “I wanted to be able to help my dad, which meant putting my dreams of moving to Nashville on hold. For the moment, God was tellingme tomove back home and be with my family.” He ended up loving the communications program at Cedarville, too, and earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. With his jump to the live rounds, Johnson committed to a full-time music career. “Connections are already happening,” he said, noting he visited Nashville during breaks in filming the show and began meeting with song writers. “That’s the kind of stuff I’m hoping to do from here on out.” “There’s been a disconnect between pop culture music and Christian radio,” Johnson added. “I want to be able to fuse the two, to have a positive message with really goodmusic.” And for a guy whose gifts are really starting to blossom, that sounds like a plan worth cultivating. Campus News Cedarville University invites you to join us Summer Preview Days Looking for a quick getaway or activity with your youth group this summer? Consider Cedarville University’s FREE Summer Preview Days in June and July. Call 1-800-CEDARVILLE (233-2784) or visit cedarville.edu/summerpreviews to reserve a date. We’ll customize the visit experience to the needs of your group!