Christen M. Hernandez began with CCW as Treble Chorus Director and Musicianship Curriculum Coordinator (2023), and was pleased to join the full-time staff as Chief Program Officer and Associate Artistic Director (2024).

With significant experience leading programs in public and independent schools, Christen was most recently the Director of Choral Music at National Cathedral School where she led on the development and implementation of a new Kodály-based choral curriculum. The success of her pedagogical method resulted in dramatically increased enrollment in choruses at every age level, greater resilience and enthusiasm reported from individual choristers, and exceedingly high quality performances across a variety of musical styles.

Choirs under Christen's direction are in-demand in the DC region and beyond, with appearances at the Washington National Cathedral, National Christmas Tree, EagleBank Arena, Nationals Park, the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, and Carnegie Hall. Christen is also active as a freelance soloist, clinician, adjudicator, and conductor in partnership with the many choral organizations in the region.

Christen earned undergraduate degrees in both Voice and Music Education from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Music Education from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. Her graduate research focused on student self-efficacy, motivation, and resiliency in a mastery-based vocal music program. She holds multiple certificates from the American Organization of Kodály Educators and the Feierabend Association for Music Education.