About Me
Biography
Hello! My name is Cristian Contreras and welcome to my website!
I was born and raised in Glendora, California just outside of Los Angeles and have been playing viola for as long as I can remember! My ultimate goal is to better other people’s lives through music by means of performing and teaching. I am a recent graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University with a Masters Degree in Viola Performance. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. Throughout my college career, I have received positions and opportunities to perform with several amazing orchestras including the Fairfax Symphony, Symphony in C, the Miami Music Festival, the American Youth Symphony, the National Orchestral Institute, as well as the Colburn Orchestra. In addition to my affinity for performing, I am also a very active teacher. I currently teach private violin and viola lessons at Moonlight Music Academy with students ranging from kindergarten to adult. I have also had the privilege of teaching at Mike’s Music in Ellicott City, Maryland as well as the Irvine Art and Music Center in Irvine, CA. I have over 7 years of private teaching experience.