Peggy Johnston graduated from Northwestern University with Bachelor of Music. Her major teachers were Warren Benfield and Bertram Turetzky. She received a Fellowship at Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood in 1970, and was a member of Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra 1968-71. From 1971-73 she was a member of the San Antonio Symphony, and she was also in the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra from 1971 to 1972.
Mrs. Johnston has been performing with the San Diego Symphony since 1975, and has been a member of the San Diego Opera Orchestra since 1976. She has been a member of the Britt Festival Orchestra since 1989. Peggy Johnston is adjunct faculty in double bass at USD.