Meet the Director
"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope."
– Thomas Merton. No Man is an Island
Conductor and tenor, Cristian Cantu began his musical studies at the Baltimore School for the Arts prior to earning his BA in Music from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he studied conducting with Prof. Constantina Tsolainou and Dr. Jamie L. Nix. In the spring of 2018, Cristian graduated from The University of Texas at Austin earning his MM in Choral Conducting studying under the intensely thoughtful and artistic direction of Dr. James Morrow.
Cristian's passion in church music all began with his tenure at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he was a cantor and conducting
scholar under the instruction of Dr. Rick McKnight. In Austin, Cristian has continued in his sacred music ambitions serving, first, at St. David’s Episcopal Church where he was part of the historic compline choir and now with St. Louis King of France Catholic Church & School where he is Principal Cantor and Music Ministry Associate. Abroad, Cristian has toured with choirs in England, Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal and has held guest choral residencies at Norwich Cathedral and Ely Cathedral.
In December of 2016, along with a couple of friends at a magical karaoke bar in Austin called Ego’s, Cristian co-founded Austin Cantorum, an ensemble striving to innovate the choral craft, illuminate new audiences with choral music, and inspire the next generation of musicians; all to ensure the art never fades.
Beyond his work with Austin Cantorum, Cristian regularly sings with the Austin Baroque Orchestra, San Antonio Chamber Choir, Texas Bach Festival, and the Texas Early Music Project, of which he is also a board member. Outside of these fun choral activities, you will likely find Cristian studying up on graphic and front-end UX design at local coffee shops or enjoying dinner and a board game with friends.