Cris Garza

Bay Area clarinetist Cris Garza was born in Spokane, Washington, and resides in Concord, California. Since the age of ten, Cris has had a passion for the clarinet and has performed across the western United States. Cris studied with Sylvia Baker in Spokane, WA. As a soloist, Cris has performed the Krommer Concerto for two clarinets, the Weber 1st Clarinet Concerto, and the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with various groups in the Spokane area. Cris was also the Assistant Conductor of the Spokane Youth Orchestra until 2011.

Cris currently holds the position of Second and Bass Clarinet with the Mid-Columbia Symphony in Richland, WA. Cris also was Assistant Principal and Bass Clarinet with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and Second Clarinet with the Washington-Idaho Symphony in Moscow, ID. He has performed with Spokane Civic Theatre, Opera Coeur d’Alene, Lake City Playhouse, and as a guest with Symphony Parnassus, Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Whitworth University Symphony Orchestra, Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra, and the Eastern Washington University Symphonic Band.

2015-2016 season highlights for Cris include continuing his tenure with the Washington-Idaho Symphony, joining the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and planned recitals on clarinet and bass clarinet, both solo works and works for clarinet and strings. Cris currently resides in Concord, CA, where he enjoys spending his free time with his soon-to-be wife attending concerts, experiencing new bars and restaurants, and trying new recipes at home.