Christine Tavares-Mocha
Christine Tavares-Mocha — Choral Director, Valencia High School
Christine Tavares-Mocha is a sought after clinician, performer, and has worked nationally All State Vocal Jazz directing and adjudicating vocal jazz festivals and competitions. She has served as choral director at Valencia High School in Valencia, California for over 20 years, leading more than 150 students across seven internationally touring choirs. Her ensembles have earned multiple DownBeat Magazine Awards for Top High School Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble and have performed at prestigious events including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference, the ACDA National Conference, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.
An accomplished performer, Christine has toured internationally with Moira Smiley & VOCO and performed with the vocal jazz ensemble Down for the Count. She has sung back up for Ben Folds, Judy Collins, Kevin Mahogany, and Michael Feinstein, and has sung in numerous big bands including The Viper Six. Her original vocal jazz compositions include Refugee, I’d Stop Time, Away, I Believe and Me From You. Collectively, they are performed nationally by more than sixty ensembles with Refugee premiering at the 2019 ACDA National Convention by the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.
Christine holds a Master’s degree from the Berklee College of Music and served on the Southern CA Vocal Association board as the vocal jazz representative for over fifteen years. In 2018, she pioneered and founded the first SCVA Vocal Jazz Honor Choir (now in its 8th year). Her teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and storytelling through music. Committed to inclusivity and that no student should ever be turned away from learning, she ensures that all students have the opportunity to grow as musicians.
Outside of music, Christine cherishes her husband Scott, sons Jackson and Cole, and their dogs Rosie, Ella, and Baxter.
christinemocha.com
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