Chris Werner
Chris Werner (he/they), is a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance student at the University of Arizona, Tucson, studying with Dr. Marissa Olegario. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Cal Poly Humboldt University, where he studied bassoon with Virgina Ryder. They received a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from the University of Idaho, Moscow, where they studied with Dr. Javier Rodriguez.
A native of the East Bay Area in California, they have performed as a freelance artist in wind ensembles, orchestras, chamber groups, and even pep bands all over California, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Missouri, Kansas, and now Arizona. They have a passion for music education and champion equity, diversity, and access in music spaces and classrooms. Chris has taught middle school choir and band, elementary instrumental music, and coached high school marching band woodwind sections. Chris performs a variety of repertoire, focusing on music by underrepresented communities.
In their free time, Chris enjoys community building, outdoor activities like hiking and camping, cooking, attending drag shows, a cold beer with friends, and exploring wherever they are currently living.
Curriculum VitaeChristopher Werner
(925) 286-8926 • chrisawerner@comcast.net
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
DMA Bassoon Performance, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Minor: Gender & Women’s Studies - Ant. May 2026
Studied with Dr. Marissa Olegario
MM Bassoon Performance, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - May 2021
Studied with Dr. Javier Rodriguez
Treatise “The Ronald Klimko Collection: Unpacking the Life and Library of a Legend in the Double Reed Community”
BA Music Education, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA - May 2014
Studied with Virginia Ryder
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Higher Education
Bassoon Instructor, Double Reed Techniques MusT 352-01, University of Idaho (2020-21)
K-12 Education
4-6 Orchestra Director, Steele Elementary School, Tucson, AZ (2025-26)
Instrumental Music Specialist, Hillsborough City School District, Hillsborough, CA (2016-17)
Woodwind Technician, Thompson Valley Golden Eagle Marching Band, Loveland, CO (2015)
7th & 8th Grade Music Specialist, Salida del Sol Charter School, Greeley, CO (2014-15)
Graduate Teaching Assignments
Assistant in Media, School of Music, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (2024-25)
Assistant in Bassoon, Lionel Hampton School of Music, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (2019-21)
RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Presentations
“Absolute Fagottry: The Bassoon as a Voice of Queerness” The University of Idaho/Lionel Hampton School of Music Graduate Student Research and Scholarship Forum, Moscow, ID (2019)
“The Ronald Klimko Collection: Unpacking the Life and Library of a Legend in the Double Reed Community” University of Idaho Masters Treatise Presentation (April 2021)
Grants
JustArts Fellowship $1500
The University of Arizona LGBTQIA+ Institute 2025 Graduate Student Research Grant $1000
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE:
Solo Recitals
Graduate Bassoon Recital, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - October 2020
Graduate Bassoon Recital, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - March 2021
DMA Qualifying Recital, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - January 2024
DMA Chamber Recital, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - April 2024
DMA Solo Recital, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - December 2025
Video Recordings/Broadcasts
Chris Werner, bassoon YouTube Channel (20 videos) est. Sept. 2019
Notable Large Ensemble Experience
Second Bassoon, Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra 2025-2026
Principal Bassoon, Arizona Symphony Orchestra 2024-2025
Second Bassoon, Hays Symphony 2023
Principal Bassoon, Westwood Ensemble 2022-2023
Principal Bassoon, Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City 2022
Principal Bassoon, Landlocked Opera 2022
Principal/Second Bassoon, Pinnacle Winds 2021-2023
Principal Bassoon, Mid-America Freedom Band 2021-2023
Second Bassoon, Walla Walla University Orchestra 2021
Contrabassoon/Utility Bassoon, Washington-Idaho Symphony 2019-2020
Principal/Second Bassoon, Rose City Pride Bands 2017-2019
Second Bassoon, Livermore-Amador Symphony 2016-2019
Principal/Second Bassoon, Awesöme Orchestra Collective 2016-2019
Second Bassoon, Kensington Symphony Orchestra 2017
Principal Bassoon, Contra Costa Wind Ensemble 2016-2017
Principal Bassoon, Castro Valley Orchestra 2016
Second Bassoon, Eureka Symphony 2013-2014
SERVICE
Arts Administration
General Manager, Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet, University of Arizona, 2023-2025
Graduate Representative, Music Student Advisory Board, University of Idaho, 2020-2021
General Manager, Humboldt State Marching Lumberjacks, Cal Poly Humboldt University, 2010
Secretary, Humboldt State Marching Lumberjacks, Cal Poly Humboldt University, 2009\
Professional and Scholarly Organizations
Society for American Music, 2024-present
Kansas City Federation of Musicians, 2021-2023
International Double Reed Society, IDRS, 2019-present
California Music Educators Association, CMEA, 2013-2017
National Association for Music Education, NAfME, 2013-present
Colorado Music Educators Association, CMEA 2014-2016
Outreach
Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet Outreach Performances, 2023-2025
Livermore-Amador Symphony Outreach Performance, 2019
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Work Experience
Box Office Manager, Friends of Chamber Music, Kansas City, MO, 2021-2022
Camp Counselor, Sequoia Chamber Music Camp, Arcata, CA, 2013-2016
Private Instruction, bassoon, oboe, French horn, saxophone, 2012-present
Conferences Attended
IDRS 2024, Flagstaff, AZ, July 2024
Meg Quigley Virtual Bassoon Symposium, Zoom, January 2021
“Bassoonarama 2020,” Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, March 2020
Pride Bands Alliance, Kansas City, MO, April 2018
CMEA 2017, San Jose, CA, February 2017
CMEA 2015, Colorado Springs, CO, February 2015
CMEA 2014, Fresno, CA, February 2014
CMEA 2013, Fresno, CA, February 2013