Cy-Falls Grad to Showcase Musical Talent

The Westside Sun (Houston), February 6, 2002

A Cypress Falls High School graduate is one of a handful of musicians invited to perform for Olympic dignitaries the day of Opening Ceremonies.

Jared Johnson, a contemporary pianist and songwriter now studying at Brigham Young University in Provo., Utah, will perform for global leaders at the Governor's Opening Ceremony Reception Friday, Feb. 8, in Salt Lake City.

"If I remember only one performance in my lifetime, this will likely be it," said Johnson, a 1996 graduate of Cy Falls. "Nothing compares to the opportunity of sharing my music with a truly global audience."

Political leaders from all countries participating in the 2002 Winter Games will spend the day at the Governor's Reception. President George W. Bush is the invited keynote speaker at an earlier luncheon.

Invited entertainers will perform throughout the afternoon and evening. Johnson was selected to perform after Ralph Johnson, chairman of entertainment for the event, heard song samples on the artist's website, www.jaredjohnson.com.

Johnson studied the piano as he grew up in Baytown and in the Copperfield area.

He was a drum captain for the Cypress Falls High School Marching Band. In 1996, he enrolled at BYU and later served a two-year mission in Colorado for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For the last two years, Johnson has performed piano solos around Utah while finishing his bachelor's degree in public relations.