Christopher Blaha

Title: Associate Professor
Dept/Program: Music - Tuba
Phone: 330-972-6641
Email: cblaha1@uakron.edu

Biography

Dr. Christopher Blaha is the Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at The University of Akron. He holds his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in tuba performance from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Fritz Kaenzig, and his Bachelor of Music in tuba performance from The Ohio State University, where he studied with James Akins. His additional teachers include Wes Jacobs, Marianne Ploger, Ron Bishop and Gary Tirey.

Prior to joining the faculty at The University of Akron, Dr. Blaha was Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC from 2009-2014. Many of his former students are performing with United States military bands, teaching in the public schools or pursuing their graduate studies. Dr. Blaha was Principal Tuba of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra from 2004-2008 and has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Grant Park Music Festival, Toledo Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and Columbus Symphony orchestras. During his tenure in Charleston, Blaha held instructional positions at Charleston Southern University and Armstrong Atlantic State University, in addition to his activities as a guest artist and clinician.

Dr. Blaha is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist.