PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

A transplant from Kansas, soprano Christa Tumlinson has performed as a professional vocalist across Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and now calls Austin, Texas home. She specializes in performing and promoting new vocal music with the intention of bridging the gap between classical and contemporary song. A highly sought-after performer, Christa has been featured as a soloist with choral ensembles and music festivals throughout the United States. In Austin, she serves as a section leader for Panoramic Voices, an inclusive and innovative community chorus. She also sings with professional ensembles throughout Bat City, including Inversion Ensemble.

Christa’s past highlights include performances with the Ojai Music Festival and San Francisco’s acclaimed ensemble Volti, a chamber choir at the forefront of new music premieres for over forty years. She has also toured internationally as both a singer and arts administrator, performing throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States.

In addition to her performance career, Christa maintains a vibrant private voice studio in Southwest Austin and works throughout the city as a coach, clinician, and musical director. Her teaching blends healthy vocal technique with mindfulness, creativity, and curiosity, helping singers of all ages develop authentic, expressive, and embodied voices that reflect their unique artistry.

As a conductor, Christa brings her same holistic approach to choral leadership, cultivating expressive, inclusive, and connected musical communities. Her work emphasizes accessibility and creativity, inviting singers of all experience levels to participate fully in the joy of collective music-making.

An active composer and arranger, Christa writes both sacred and secular choral works, as well as original songs and musicals for children and community performance. Her compositions often explore storytelling through accessible harmonies, folk-inspired textures, and emotionally resonant text settings that invite wide participation.

Christa is also a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) and trained sound healing practitioner (Atma Buti Sound and Vibrational School, Levels 1 & 2). Her teaching and performance philosophy integrates principles of breath, body awareness, and mindfulness, aligning yogic practice with vocal artistry to encourage grounded, tension-free, and fully embodied singing.

Christa earned her Bachelor of Music in Voice from California State University, Fullerton.

Christa is an in demand clinician with vocal and theater programs, as well as an active pianist and composer. Ms. Tumlinson received her Bachelor’s degree in Voice from California State University, Fullerton.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• In demand section leader and soloist in Austin, including Inversion Ensemble and Panoramic Voices

• Featured soloist at the Ojai Music Festival under the direction of Jeremy Denk

• Seven seasons with the professional ensemble Volti of San Francisco, and collaborating with the Kronos Quartet, Berkeley Symphony, and Cal Performances

• Worked with distinguished composers Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, Terry Riley, and John Adams

• Collaboration with influential living composers, including Shawn Crouch, Melissa Dunphy, Forrest Pierce, Eric Banks, John Muehleisen, Kirke Mecham, Ted Hearne, and others

UPCOMING GIGS

• November 8: Light & Splendor with Panoramic Voices at the Blanton Museum of Art

• November 15: Opera Austin Festival in Suzette Emberton’s Buried Moon at KMFA 89.5 Draylen Mason Studio

• December 7: Light it Up with Panoramic Voices, conducting featured Ensemble Circle of Fifths Sound Collective

• December 14: Musical Christmas Market, conducting Trinity Choir in collaboration with University UMC and University Christian Church

• December 21: Handel’s Messiah with Central Texas Philharmonic