Christopher Ganza, D.M.A

Christopher Ganza is Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Chris began studying the organ at the age of nine with Ray Cornils. He earned the degree of Bachelor of Music in Church Music from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN), studying organ performance and improvisation with John Ferguson and Catherine Rodland. He was the first Organ Scholar at the Church of St. Louis, King of France (St. Paul, MN), under the supervision of Brian Carson. Chris earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK), studying organ performance and improvisation with John Schwandt and Damin Spritzer, and choral conducting with Richard Zielinski.

Chris has served as Director of Music for churches in Waterville, ME, Oklahoma City, OK, and Minneapolis, MN. Awards for his playing include First Prize in the Paul and Ruth Manz Scholarship Competition, the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival National Competition, the University of Michigan Organ Improvisation Competition, and the John R. Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition. 

Notable recital appearances include the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI, the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, and Baylor University in Waco, TX. Chris is the Director of Choral Music at Saint Agnes School, where he directs an acclaimed choral program for students in grades five through twelve. Ensembles under his direction have routinely received the highest rating at regional competitions. He was a featured organist and conductor at the 2023 North Central American Guild of Organists North Central Regional Convention. Professional memberships include the American Guild of Organists and the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians.