PIANO | CM
Charis attended Sonoma State University where she received her Bachelor of Music. There she studied composition, jazz and classical under Marilyn Thompson and Ken Cooke. Charis has also had multiple years of study in West African, Haitian and Brazilian percussion with Kendrick Freeman and Jimmy Biala. Upon graduation Charis continued her studies at the Jazz School in Berkeley. There she studied jazz arranging, trio and solo piano performance, and composition under Debbie Poryes for many years.
Charis began learning piano at the tender age of three with her mother who was a professional trumpet player and pianist. She is now an active musician, writer, and educator. Charis has recently relocated to the Los Angeles area to work closely with producer Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids/ L.A. The Band/ Mando Diao) as a resident studio musician. Charis has also had the opportunity to record her original compositions with a number of producers that has taken her from the U.S. to France.
Her methods of teaching have formed from her own memories of trials as a beginner to the experience and excitement that continues to unfold as she further deepens a devotion to her craft. Charis strives to connect and understand each of her students, and to help create and reach goals they are excited to accomplish and work on. Charis teaches because of the impact that amazing instructors have had not only on her musical development but on her own creativity and joy at every level of development. In addition, she utilizes the Taubman approach, of the Golandsky Institute, to provide a foundation of healthy technique that facilitates ease of playing and prevent injury.
Charis currently performs with Swedish signed group Wargirl and spends her time writing music for film and commercial use as well as her own performances.