Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala

Leadership & Administration:

• Served as Interim Chair, then Academic Department Director (ADD), of the Musical Theatre Department for two years, overseeing faculty, curriculum, and departmental operations

Curriculum Development:

• Designed and developed curricula for over 30 courses, including piano, music theory, vocal technique, aural skills, musical theatre performance, music history, story analysis, content creation, professionalism, and collaboration

Instruction & Mentorship:

• Teaches courses in all of the subjects listed above, and mentored students in academic pursuits and career planning, fostering a community of lifelong learners

Music Direction:

• Music directed dozens of classes, projects, and performances, enhancing the college's artistic reputation

Vision & Creation:

• Co-founded Ad Astra LLC and co-created For The Record, a live concert series adapting movie soundtracks for the stage

• Co-wrote over a dozen productions and created more than 100 musical arrangements for ensembles ranging from 4- to 7-piece bands and casts of 6 to 9 performers

Production & Direction:

• Music directed over 1,000 performances across the U.S. (including a partnership with Cirque Du Soleil), Canada (Montreal Jazz Festival), and on international cruise lines (Norwegian)

Collaboration with Artists:

• Worked with notable performers such as Evan Rachel Wood, Rumer Willis, Tracie Thoms, Barrett Foa, Janel Parrish, Alex Wyse, Michael Arden, and Derek Klena

Achievements:

• Received acclaim from media outlets like the LA Times and endorsements from industry figures like Quentin Tarantino and Baz Luhrmann

Performance & Arrangement:

• Created hundreds of musical arrangements and performed in weekly shows

Artist Collaboration:

• Collaborated with artists including Billy Porter, Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Lambert, Leslie Odom Jr.

Contribution:

• Spearheaded the cabaret scene in Los Angeles by introducing innovative entertainment and regularly engaging audiences with high-quality performances

Instruction:

• Provides exceptional, personalized lessons in piano, voice, and performance

Music Direction:

• Music directed for Adam Pascal, David Burnham, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Deaf West’s American Idiot (Associate MD), and others

Community Service:

• Co-founded and directed a volunteer choir serving the homeless community

Impact:

• Used music as a tool for healing and community building among underserved populations