Executive Music Director

Christopher A. Smith brings nearly two decades of collective experience as a professional singer, music educator, and arts administrator.

Hailed for his “remarkable tenor” (Isthmus), “flawless technique and . . .supremely beautiful voice” (Composer David Edgar Walther), and “unusual dramatic talent, interesting presence, and vivid projection of text and music” (SOT), Christopher continues to earn acclaim for his work as an opera singer and commercial vocalist.  Classically, he has performed lead roles and soles with companies and symphony orchestras throughout New York, New England, and the Midwest and has appeared in concert at such venues as the Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Lincoln Center (New York), Merkin Concert Hall (New York), Jordan Hall (Boston), Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis), Civic Center (Des Moines), Overture Center (Madison), and JPAC (Janesville).  He is featured on more than a dozen different recordings, distributed internationally; his latest album entitled “A Circus of the Soul” is scheduled to be released on the Albany Records label some time next year.  He has won awards at the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and many other national music competitions.  Commercially, he has performed with Broadway stars, recorded for Nintendo, Bandai Namco Games, and also with bands from Blind Guardian to Flying Stomach, and collaborated with dozens of Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar award-winning composers.

As a teacher, Christopher is a two-time consecutive recipient of the President’s Service Award from President Barack Obama, a full member of both the National Association of Teachers of Singing and National Association for Music Education, and is an active candidate for National Board Certification. He has taught music/voice since the early 2000s: privately and also in schools and colleges across Massachusetts. He has worked with students of all ages/voice types, at all levels, and in all styles; those students now appear on international stages, have placed on American Idol and in other prominent music competitions, and been admitted to prestigious conservatory and artist training programs including those at Juilliard, the Manhattan School, Eastman, and many others. 

From 2022-2023, he served as Director of Choral Activities for Beloit Memorial High School where, among other things, he increased the number of students involved in the choir program and expanded the quality of each of its choirs, increased average concert attendance by over 500%, created a Show Choir program from scratch and produced its first competition-ready public performance in under 10 rehearsals, took 22 students to WSMA Solo & Ensemble (the first time in the school’s recent history so many participated) collectively earning 16 Gold and 10 Silver Medals at the District Festival and 6 Gold and 2 Silver Medals at the State Festival along with 3 Exemplary Performance Award Nominations, and co-founded and advised a new chapter of NAfME’s Tri-Music Music Honor Society.  From 2023-2024, he served as Music and Theatre Instructor for The Lincoln Academy where he increased student participation in the music program, instructing more than 500 students across all grades (K4-12) constituting 80% of the total school population, and expanded the range of course offerings by over 150%.  And more recently, from 2024-2025, he served as the Vocal Music Teacher at Fort Atkinson Middle School where he transformed the choir program and more than doubled enrollment.  He holds teaching licenses in General Music (1515), Choir (1511), and Theatre (1325) from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and is Level 1-certified in both Orff Schulwerk and Feierabend methodologies.  He is also a Master-level Adjudicator with the Wisconsin School Music Association and frequently leads clinics and master classes at schools throughout the state.

Christopher is recognized as a “trendsetting” (Cape Ann Beacon) leader in the field of arts administration. He notably served as General Director of the Boston Metro Opera, Interim Director of the Boston-International Contempo Festival, and as Chief Executive of the Biographics Consulting Group.  He has also mentored a generation of arts administrators who now lead some of this country’s finest institutions. 

In addition to his work with the Chordhawks, Christopher is also Director and Minister of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, an independent consultant, and a freelance voice teacher/vocal coach. 

He holds degrees in vocal performance from Wartburg College (Bachelor's) and New England Conservatory (Master’s, cum laude).  A 2024 graduate of the CESA-9 Excellence in Teaching Program, he is now pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Music Education for Students with Differences and Disabilities at the University of Arkansas.  He is a proud Eagle Scout.

Associate Director

Bass-baritone Cody Linder is the Assistant Director and Bass Section Leader for The Badger Chordhawks Chorus.  He has performed extensively throughout South Central Wisconsin as a soloist and recitalist including as a guest artist with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

Cody plays six different instruments – in addition to the voice – including piano, guitar, bass, organ, bassoon, and saxophone.  Currently, he is the bassist for the Thomas Pibal Trio.  He is also on the faculty at White House of Music and The Music Café in addition to maintaining a private music studio.

Cody is also an active composer and arranger.  He has written numerous songs for solo voice, and he is the Chordhawks’ principal arranger.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Lakeland University, where he studied under Professor Janet L. Herrick.  He currently studies voice with Christopher Smith.