Credentials & Experience
Christina Carranza has a Bachelor’s of Music and Master’s of Music in Education, both earned at the University of Redlands, California. The highlight of her college experience came when she was asked to be the undergraduate student conductor for the Feast of Lights in 1996, and the graduate student conductor in 1997, 1998 and again in 1999. She studied choral conducting under Jeffrey H. Rickard, who also then became her mentor. Additionally, she served for three years as graduate assistant to Mr. Rickard. Ms. Carranza was awarded the Bo-Ying Wat Conducting Scholarship during her senior year. This honor, usually reserved for graduate students, was again awarded to her throughout her years as a graduate student. She studied voice under Patricia Gee and piano under Angelica Prodan.
During this time, Ms. Carranza appeared in the Redlands Bowl musical productions of “My Fair Lady” and “The Music Man”. She was also a member of the Community Chorus of Redlands.
A lifelong Redlands resident, over the years Ms. Carranza has been a Music Director in various churches in Redlands, including University United Methodist Church, First Lutheran Evangelical Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Community Presbyterian Church. She has worked with all aspects of the worship music programs including adult, youth, and children’s choir director, hand bell choir director, and as a vocalist for a contemporary worship team.
Currently, Christina is a worship leader while she sings and plays piano and also bass for the Light & Power class at Trinity Evangelical Free Church. She also serves as a vocalist on the worship team for the main services at Trinity and directs a choir with over 35 members for special services.
While primarily a vocalist, she has also continued studying piano under Sally Rehfeldt. Ms. Carranza has been serving the community as a private voice and piano instructor in Redlands for over 20 years.