www.christopherbenfield.comChristopher Benfield has completed two degrees in music education: one at The College of Saint Rose and one at the State University of New York at Potsdam, Crane School of Music. He also has a doctorate of musical arts in voice performance from The University of Washington.For two years Christopher was a general music teacher at Brigadoon Elementary in Federal Way, Washington. In this position, he taught general music classes to kindergarten through fifth grade, led the Brigadoon Elementary Honor Choir and grade level choirs, developed and led multicultural events, as well as many other musical school activities. During his degree work, Christopher was a teacher with Musical Minds Keyboard Club, teaching elementary keyboard after school. Outside of public education, he has served as a tutor and instructor in various musical subjects including voice, piano, and music theory and composition, and as a professional performer. Through these positions and opportunities, he has formed personalized teaching styles, garnered experience as an educator, and built skills in the areas of alternative assessment such as rubrics, performance assessments, project-based learning, and conventional testing methods in order to evaluate his students and collegiate associates comprehensively. Christopher is also a composer; he has had several of his works and arrangements performed by various ensembles and musicians around the country.As an arts advocate, Christopher has had the opportunity to take on roles as an administrator for various groups, including roles such as the president of the College of Saint Rose Other Guys All-Male A Cappella Group, and claiming a seat on the council for the Seattle Symphony Chorale. Through these opportunities, he has gained experience in leadership, advocating, fundraising, and grant writing.Music, and consequently music education and advocation, has been a passion of Christopher's for many years. He has extensive training in voice and has used this as a medium to teach both general music and large ensembles in order to follow his passion. Additionally, Christopher has experience in music theory and composition that he uses in his teaching every day. He has spent his academic career immersed in the study of musical aesthetics and implements this philosophy and research in his teaching in a variety of environments.