Executive Music Director
Christopher A. Smith was named Music Director of the Badger Chordhawks Chorus in February of 2016. Two months later, he led the group to dual titles as Division One’s Most Improved Chorus and Plateau AA Champions. Since then, Christopher’s short yet storied tenure has seen the Chordhawks’ first appearance with the Beloit-Janesville Symphony in over a decade, as well as their first ever holiday concert, which is fast becoming a tradition in the surrounding area.
A 2002 recipient of the Chordhawks’ Vocal Scholarship, Christopher now 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 of course, 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 countless Broadway stars including Telly Leung and Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek, recorded for Nintendo, Bandai Namco Games, and also with bands from Blind Guardian to Flying Stomach, and collaborated with dozens of composers including Emmy® award-winner Bruce Babcock.
As a teacher, Christopher is a two-time consecutive recipient of the President’s Service Award from President Barack Obama, a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and is licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. He has taught music/voice since the early 2000s: privately and also in schools and colleges across Massachusetts. He has worked with students of every age, every voice type, at every level, and in just about every style; 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 of Music, Eastman, the Cleveland Institute, the Academy of Vocal Arts, and many others.
Christopher is also recognized as a “trendsetting” (Cape Ann Beacon) leader in the field of arts administration. He has held more than a dozen senior management positions in the music industry on both the business and artistic sides. 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 of Choral Activities for Beloit Memorial High School, Director and Minister of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, and Director of the Youth Choirs of Southern Wisconsin. He regularly consults for arts organizations nationwide.
Christopher holds degrees in vocal performance from Wartburg College (Bachelor's) and New England Conservatory (Master’s).
A 2002 recipient of the Chordhawks’ Vocal Scholarship, Christopher now 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 of course, 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 countless Broadway stars including Telly Leung and Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek, recorded for Nintendo, Bandai Namco Games, and also with bands from Blind Guardian to Flying Stomach, and collaborated with dozens of composers including Emmy® award-winner Bruce Babcock.
As a teacher, Christopher is a two-time consecutive recipient of the President’s Service Award from President Barack Obama, a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and is licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. He has taught music/voice since the early 2000s: privately and also in schools and colleges across Massachusetts. He has worked with students of every age, every voice type, at every level, and in just about every style; 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 of Music, Eastman, the Cleveland Institute, the Academy of Vocal Arts, and many others.
Christopher is also recognized as a “trendsetting” (Cape Ann Beacon) leader in the field of arts administration. He has held more than a dozen senior management positions in the music industry on both the business and artistic sides. 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 of Choral Activities for Beloit Memorial High School, Director and Minister of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, and Director of the Youth Choirs of Southern Wisconsin. He regularly consults for arts organizations nationwide.
Christopher holds degrees in vocal performance from Wartburg College (Bachelor's) and New England Conservatory (Master’s).
Assistant 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.
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.
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.
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.