About
Music director Chris Santillán is committed to creating vivid storytelling through music. He has conducted musical theatre productions around the globe, including the North American tour of Mamma Mia! where he served as Associate Music Director for performances in 80 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
He has also explored the open waters of the Atlantic while conducting Grease, Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Other credits include Chicago, Godspell, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bonnie and Clyde, and the UAE premieres of Working and The Lightning Thief.
In addition to conducting, Chris worked as a vocal supervisor for Royal Caribbean’s signature shows The Gift and Blue Planet. As a pianist, he has performed with singers for cabaret nights at venues such as Cafe Negril in New Orleans and the New Century Theatre in Minneapolis.
With a wide-ranging musical curiosity, Chris has programmed everything from the American Songbook to Billy Joel & Elton John tributes. A firm believer in the “show must go on,” Chris performed as a last-minute keyboard sub for veteran headliner performer Tony Tillman, and for Amy Jo Slater in her tribute show A Night with Adele.
As an educator, Chris has worked as a teaching artist for the El-Sistema-inspired program OrKidstra. He was also the founding director of the Spirit of the Streets Choir, a music program for under-served youth in Canada’s capital region. He holds a master’s degree in music education from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in music from Carleton University.
Chris is currently a faculty member at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy in the United Arab Emirates, helping to pioneer innovative curriculum and programming in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.
