About

Full Bio

Cristian Larios (he/él) is the son of Mexican immigrants and a composer, conductor, and educator based in Joliet, IL. He currently serves as choir director at Plainfield North High School, where he leads five curricular choirs and oversees a variety of extracurricular ensembles and musical activities. As a composer, his work spans chamber and large-scale choral forms, centering on storytelling, identity, and human connection. Larios is committed to utilizing music-making as a way to foster and build community.

As a composer, Cristian’s work has been recognized through opportunities including the PREMIERE|Project Festival with Choral Arts Initiative and the ACDA/ASTA New Canon Project. His music was recorded by Tonality on their 2021 album America Will Be, and his collaborations have ranged from theatrical productions to community-centered choral projects. In 2024, he was commissioned by the William Ferris Chorale’s Emerging Voices Project, partnering with Chicago Public Schools students to create a new work inspired by their lived experiences.

Larios is the recipient of the 2017 Harlan Peithman Music Scholarship for Excellence in Music Theory and Composition, the 2018 Illinois Minority Teachers Scholarship, and the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award at Plainfield North High School. In 2026, he received the Professional Development Award from the Plainfield School District Foundation of Excellence. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Music Education (Choral) and Music Composition from Illinois State University, where he studied with Martha Horst, Roger Zare, Roy Magnuson, Joshua Keeling, and Carl Schimmel. He earned a Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where his graduate research examined the experiences of secondary music educators of color working in predominantly white schools.

Outside of music, Cristian enjoys exploring other creative mediums, including pottery and film photography. He is also an enthusiastic supporter of ramen, fresh flowers, and the sparkle emoji ✨.

Professional Affiliations

American Choral Directors Association
Illinois Music Educators Association
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Illinois Education Association

Shorter Bio

Cristian Larios (he/él) is the son of Mexican immigrants and a composer, conductor, and educator based in Joliet, Illinois. He serves as choir director at Plainfield North High School, where he leads five curricular choirs and oversees a variety of extracurricular ensembles and musical activities. In both his teaching and creative work, he is committed to using music-making as a means of fostering connection, belonging, and community.

As a composer, Cristian’s work spans chamber and large-scale choral forms, often exploring themes of storytelling, identity, and human connection. His music has been recognized through opportunities including the PREMIERE|Project Festival with Choral Arts Initiative and the ACDA/ASTA New Canon Project. His music was recorded by Tonality on their 2021 album America Will Be, and his collaborations have included theatrical productions, educational initiatives, and community-centered choral projects.

Cristian holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Composition from Illinois State University and a Master of Music Education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is the recipient of the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award at Plainfield North High School and the 2026 Professional Development Award from the Plainfield School District Foundation of Excellence.

He is also an enthusiastic supporter of ramen, fresh flowers, and the sparkle emoji ✨.

Shortest Bio

Cristian Larios (he/él) is a composer, conductor, and educator from Joliet, Illinois. The son of Mexican immigrants, his work centers storytelling, identity, and human connection. He serves as choir director at Plainfield North High School, and his music has been recognized through projects including the PREMIERE|Project Festival and the ACDA/ASTA New Canon Project. Cristian holds degrees from Illinois State University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and advocates for equity through music and education.

He is also an enthusiastic supporter of ramen, fresh flowers, and the sparkle emoji ✨.