The Ocean Knows: A Musical Narrative

The ocean has a story four billion years in the making. Come hear it told.

The Ocean Knows is a one-of-a-kind performance blending live music, storytelling, and marine science — designed to bring the wonders and challenges of our ocean to life for everyone. Created by National Academy of Sciences Performing Artist-in-Residence Fred Johnson in collaboration with marine biologist John Baross, this innovative work makes cutting-edge science accessible, engaging, and deeply human.

What to Expect

• A powerful fusion of music and narrative exploring Earth’s ocean history

• Eye-opening storytelling about the urgent challenges facing ocean health today

• A shared experience that sparks curiosity, emotional connection, and a sense of collective responsibility

• No scientific background needed — just curiosity

About the Performance

The Ocean Knows is part of the Ocean Memory Project, an interdisciplinary initiative connecting scientific knowledge, cultural expression, and public engagement to inspire a new generation of ocean stewards.

About Fred Johnson

With 45 years of experience using the arts to empower communities, Fred Johnson is one of the most compelling voices in socially engaged performance. Mentored by masters of West African oral and healing traditions, and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts for his work with veterans through the Creative Forces initiative, Johnson transforms stages into spaces of reflection and renewal.

This event is free and open to all. Bring your curiosity — and your friends.

This performance was made possible through the National Academy of Sciences Kenneth R. Fulton Fund and the generous contributions of Jody Deming and John Baross.

Image: Kathie Foley-Meyer, In the Wake: With the Bones of Our Ancestors, 2018, watercolor, chalk, and wax on paper, 41.5 x 29 inches.