Christopher Bianco, DMA

Dean

About

Dr. Christopher Bianco serves as the Dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Washington University. Dr. Bianco, who previously served as Chair of the WWU Department of Music and Director of Bands has taught at the WWU since 2006; he came to Bellingham from a faculty position at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and earned his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. He has held positions at Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois, Boise High School in Boise, Idaho, St. Francis High School in St. Francis Minnesota and Baylor University in Waco Texas.
 
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While in the Chicago area, Dr. Bianco maintained an active trumpet studio as well as holding the position of Artistic Director and Conductor of the Wilmette Community Band.
 
He completed his formal training at The University of Texas at Austin as a student of Jerry Junkin where he served as a teaching assistant for the conducting program, UT Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Longhorn Band. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting in December of 2004.
 
In addition to his work with Jerry Junkin, Dr. Bianco has studied, conducting with John Paynter, Kevin Sedatole and Steve Bolstad.  His trumpet teachers have included Vincent Cichowicz, Ray Sasaki, Steve Bolstad, David Coleman and Vince DiMartino.
 
Dr. Bianco has served as President of the Northwest Region of the College Band Director's National Association, President of the San Juan Music Educators Association, Executive Board for the Washington Music Educators Association, an organization that awarded him WA Higher Education Educator of the Year in 2015. He served a three year term on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Music, and is a member of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.
 
He lives in Ferndale WA, with his wife and partner Laurie and their daughters Elena and Sophia.