Dr. Christopher Vongvithayamathakul

Conductor/Artistic Director

Originally from Lahaina, Maui, Dr. Christopher Vongvithayamathakul (he/him/his) is a dynamic conductor, educator, and performer who has shared his joy for music making by directing ensembles of all ages throughout his career.

Currently, Chris is a faculty member at Shoreline Community College, where he teaches music theory and directs the Shoreline Concert Band. Previously, Chris directed the Symphonic Band and served as Music Ensembles Program Coordinator at the University of Illinois Chicago. Chris completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington in 2022, where he studied conducting with Professor Timothy Salzman and clarinet with the principal clarinetist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Ben Lulich. As concert bands graduate assistant at Washington, Chris directed the Concert Band and served as the assistant conductor for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. In the Spring of 2021, Chris and colleague Daniel Fischer presented a clinic entitled “Creative Learning Experiences for Music Ensembles Using Digital Audio Tools” at multiple state music education conferences. This presentation was inspired by the virtual composition project entitled “Putting the E in E-nsemble” piloted by the University of Washington Wind Ensemble in collaboration with composer Alex Shapiro in the Spring of 2020.

During his doctoral studies, Chris commissioned and conducted the premiere of a work for solo clarinet and chamber winds by Washington-based composer Brian Schappals, featuring clarinet soloist Dr. Caitlin Beare. The piece, entitled “light…pale and angered”, was a finalist for the 2020 American Prize in wind ensemble composition, professional division.

Chris earned a Master of Music degree in instrumental conducting from the University of New Mexico where he studied conducting with Professor Eric Rombach-Kendall and clarinet with Professor Keith Lemmons. During his time at New Mexico, Chris served as graduate assistant for the UNM bands, where his responsibilities included assisting and conducting the concert bands, marching band, and directing the “Soundpack” basketball pep band. Chris was also the music director for the Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque, a community orchestra.

Prior to his graduate studies, Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. After his undergraduate studies, Chris taught music and band on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i at James Campbell High School, Highlands Intermediate School, and Punahou School. During his time on O’ahu, was an active member of the O’ahu Band Directors Association (OBDA) and chair of its Beginning Honor Band. In 2024, Chris was invited back to O’ahu to direct the OBDA Middle School Select Band.