Chris Maunu

Chris Maunu is the Artistic Director of the Pacific Youth Choir in Portland, Oregon. He conducts Choro in Schola and is on the faculty at Portland State University. He spent 17 years at the helm of the choral program at Arvada West High School and 7 years with the professional Anima Chamber Ensemble. A passionate advocate for music education, Chris is a 4-time Finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award. His choirs have performed at 13 music conferences, including National and Regional ACDA.

Maunu has contributed to the field as a guest conductor, speaker, published composer and author. His many guest conducting engagements range from Hawaii to England, including numerous all state choirs and the HS Mixed Honor Choir at the 2025 ACDA National Conference. He is a frequently performed and published composer and editor of the Pacific Youth Choir choral series with Pavane Publishing. Chris is also a contributing author to the Choral Conductors Companion.

Most important to Chris is his desire that music remains a crucial vehicle in making the world a better place for our youth. Please visit chrismaunu.com to read more, schedule a clinic, or peruse scores.

PACIFIC YOUTH CHOIR

Since 2003, Pacific Youth Choir has been a benchmark for choral excellence in the Pacific region of the United States. This Portland-based organization serves hundreds of young singers, aged 5 to 19. PYC is a champion of meaningful repertoire, connecting singers to a higher experience of life through music, and touching the community with inspirational artistry. PYC remains true to its core values and artistic goals: to connect every singer in every choir to a higher awareness of humanity—touching choristers’ lives in positive ways that they influence. Learn more at pacificyouthchoir.org.

• Chris Maunu (he/him), Conductor and Composer
• Artistic Director, Pacific Youth Choir
• Artistic Director, Choro in Schola
• Graduate Music Education Professor (GTEP), Portland State University
• 4-time GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Finalist
• chrismaunu.com