Derek A. Johnson. Photo by Leonard Poteat.
Derek A. Johnson will join the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall as chief marketing officer on January 5, 2026. Johnson will oversee the institutional marketing of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, the orchestra’s home, including brand, digital, communications, design and public relations strategies, both external and internal. Johnson is currently serving as interim vice president of marketing at the Nashville Symphony. Prior to Nashville, Johnson was vice president of marketing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he oversaw integrated marketing strategy for more than 2,000 annual events, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary culture, social impact, theater, dance, education, and multidisciplinary programming. Johnson began his career at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, advancing from marketing and public relations intern to senior marketing manager. A flutist, Johnson performs with Anita’s Flutes and the Category 5 Wind Ensemble, both community-based groups. He previously served as a teaching artist with the DC Youth Orchestra Program and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.
