American Stephen M Johns studied at The Manhattan School, graduating BM and prior to that spent two years at The New England Conservatory of Music. Following his BM he gained an MM degree atThe Juilliard School. Further studies at Columbia University Teachers College earned him his M.Ed. degree.
He began his professional career with the Connecticut Opera Association during his high school years. When he moved to New York, he studied tuba with Herbert Wekselblatt, principal tuba of the Metropolitan Opera. He began substituting at the Met Opera and before long was designated as the associate tuba at the Met. As a freelance musician some of his accounts included, principal tuba of the Joffrey Ballet, The Martha Graham Ballet, The New York Pops, and The Little Orchestra Society. He has been the principal tuba of New York City Opera since 1983, the American Symphony since 1990, and New York City Ballet since 1999.