College List Building

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Application Management

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Audition Management

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Sample Lesson Coordination

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SAT/ACT Test Strategy

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Progress Check-Ins

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Personal Statement Coaching

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Supplemental Essay Support

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Financial Aid

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Timeline/Organization Support

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Appeal/Waitlist Strategy

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College List Building ♫ Application Management ♫ Audition Management ♫ Sample Lesson Coordination ♫ SAT/ACT Test Strategy ♫ Progress Check-Ins ♫ Personal Statement Coaching ♫ Supplemental Essay Support ♫ Financial Aid ♫ Timeline/Organization Support ♫ Appeal/Waitlist Strategy ♫

Welcome to Cadence!
Schedule Your Free Consultation
What I Do
Specialty Areas
Testimonials
FAQs

The college application process can feel overwhelming. There are only so many spare minutes in the day to devote to your college plan in addition to balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, rehearsals, social life, and family commitments.  

Applying to music school adds another layer of complexity. You’re not just submitting grades and essays, you’re navigating a specialized process that many school counselors have never experienced. That’s where I come in.

I graduated from a top-ranked music school, spent nearly a decade teaching in music, and now work as a high school counselor. Having guided hundreds of students through college admissions, I understand the both the music school process and the academic qualifications necessary to help applicants stand out.

My role is to guide, to advise, and to save you precious time.

My goal is to bring clarity, structure, organization, and calm to what should be an exciting time of self-discovery, creativity, and celebration. The earlier we begin, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel when it’s time to hit submit.

It’s your college journey -
start it on a high note.

Learn More About Cadence
Learn More About Cadence

What I do.

Prepare.

  • High School Course Advising

  • Extracurricular Consulting

  • Summer Enrichment Planning

  • Goal-Setting

  • End-of-term Reflections

Grade 9 - Grades 12

Plan.

  • College List Development

  • College Visit Preparation

  • Standardized Test Consultation

  • Sample Lesson Planning

  • Organization Systems

Grades 11-12

Apply.

  • Timeline Creation

  • Application Management Support

  • Audition/Portfolio Management

  • Essay Coaching

  • Financial Aid Support

Grade 12

Browse Package Options
Service Descriptions
Schedule Your Free Consultation Now

Specialty Areas

Musical Theatre

Music Business

Vocal Performance

Commercial & Popular Music

Sound Design & Engineering

Dual Degree & Double Majors

Jazz Studies

Composition

Instrumental Performance

Music Education

Musical Theatre

Music Business

Composition

Jazz Studies

Music Education

Instrumental Performance

Commercial & Popular Music

Vocal Performance

Dual Degree &
Double Majors

Sound Design &
Engineering

Hear what my students have to say.

★★★★★

"Adam Johnson is one of the rare few educators who meets every student with sincerity, patience, and care that extends far beyond his professional responsibilities. His steady encouragement and belief in me made an enormous difference during the college application process and continues to shape the confidence I carry forward in all aspects of my life."

— L.A. MIT, Class of 2029
★★★★★

"As a student who struggled a lot in high school, Mr. Johnson was extremely encouraging and helped me hone in on my strengths and skills to help me achieve my goals. His holistic and balanced approach to admissions is extremely helpful and kept me motivated through the stress that comes with college applications. Wether it be helping with my personal statement or selecting classes, his perspective is extremely valuable and knowledgeable. "

— S.A. NYU, Class of 2026
★★★★★

"Mr. Johnson was instrumental in helping me navigate both my academic planning and the college application process. His guidance in course selection, essays, and long-term planning gave me clarity and confidence, and it played a huge part in preparing me for success at UC Berkeley, where I now study Business Administration and Economics!"

R.H. UC Berkeley, Class of 2024
★★★★★

"Your passion for music and dedication to your students is clear in everything you do. You've made such a positive impact on my life and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

— W.C. University of Oregon, Class of 2026

Still have questions?

These are some of the most common things families ask when they first reach out. Don't see yours? Send me a question or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call.

  • There's no wrong time to begin. The earlier we begin, the sooner you will benefit from long-term goal-setting and early planning. Already in your junior or senior year? You can absolutely still get meaningful, organized support — we meet you exactly where you are.

  • Music students are my specialty due to my own experiences being a music school student. Are you considering music as a dual-degree or double major? I can absolutely support you in your process.

  • This will largely depend on where you are in the process and what you need along the way. Most students in Grades 9-11 will meet quarterly and increase frequency once they enter Grade 12. Frequency of 1-on-1 meetings is also determined by which service package you purchase.

  • School counselors are wonderful — I’m one of them myself! The biggest difference is that school counselors are managing hundreds of students at once. As your independent counselor, I focus entirely on you. I also limit the number of students I will take in each graduating class to ensure I am able to provide a high-level of support and care with each student and family. I also bring a specialized lens as a music educator and former music school student that most school counselors simply don't have.