Christopher studied piano with Polli Chambers-Salazar and chamber music with Susan Svrček at PCM for much of his youth before graduating in 2007. He is now a lauded pianist who has performed in major cities worldwide and held residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. He holds graduate degrees from Julliard and Yale and is completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. This summer he started as a full-time piano faculty at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

Christopher looks forward to returning to PCM this fall, giving back to the place that was so formative in his musical career. Join us on November 9 for a masterclass with Christopher, followed by a solo recital.

This interview was conducted on 7/1/24 and has been edited for length and clarity.

You’re visiting PCM in November to give a master class and then a concert. Can you tell us about that and what we can expect? How will it feel to visit PCM?

I’m teaching a masterclass and then playing a concert that evening and I don’t yet know who I’m coaching, but I’m very excited. I’ve visited PCM for various alumni concerts since graduating in 2007 but it’s my first time giving back to PCM in a teaching capacity so that feels nice. I grew up in Pasadena, coming to the conservatory three days a week from the start of middle school through high school graduation – I’m looking forward to coming back and being on the other end of things.

And can you tell us about any other upcoming events? Don’t you have a concert in Tucson? 

Before I perform at PCM, I’m performing at the University of Tucson because my dad’s now based there. I’m giving a class, judging their concerto competition, and playing a recital. After I perform at PCM, I’m playing in Ojai at a beautiful mini-series called Chamber on the Mountain and I’ll do outreach at a school there.

You’re about to start full-time at Interlochen, what are you looking forward to about working there? 

Teaching high school students and college undergrads has been so fun and fulfilling. I remember very vividly how important and influential my PCM teachers were and how formative that stage is in one’s life and career. I love teaching now and I’m excited to continue because now I can play a big role in the musical upbringing of young, talented students.

Another thing I’m looking forward to is getting to work with a colleague of mine who I’ve known for 15 years, which is a nice testament to how small and tight-knit the music world is. I’m super excited to take ownership of a very historic musical program and very thankful that they entrusted their employment with me.

What else have you been up to since your time at PCM, are there particular experiences that stand out? 

One of the more interesting chapters was participating in Ensemble Connect, a Carnegie Hall-based program for chamber music and meaningful educational outreach. We got a lot of opportunities to perform with each other and play for venues of all kinds such as people with disabilities, people in convalescence, and incarcerated populations. It was so special getting to play with really great musicians, some of whom I previously knew and the ones I didn’t know before are my good friends now. Unfortunately, it ended in 2020 because of the pandemic but it was a great experience.

Aside from that, since graduating, I’ve mostly been in school doing undergraduate and graduate work. And it’s been great because they provide excellent resources and I’ve met some awesome people but I’ve been a student for a long time so I’m ready to be a teacher now. However, I do think that the best teachers are students themselves so it’s an ongoing experience.

You’re currently pursuing your doctorate at Johns Hopkins, how is that going?

I’m towards the end of my two-year program so despite the fact that I’m going to start a job, I’m still not done, but it’s manageable because I’m done with coursework. I’ve liked the experience so far and I’ve met some wonderful teachers like Richard Goode.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m really excited to come back to PCM in the fall.  I’ve made a point of keeping in touch and coming back every so often. My musical roots are really important to me so I’m excited to give back to the PCM community

Another special thing about PCM is that the performing opportunities are so frequent. I was really lucky to get that experience at a young age and some undergrad programs don’t even provide that opportunity. It’s such a good place, run by really competent, skilled, and most importantly, kind people. I’m super happy to come back.