Cristian Grases is a Venezuelan native who joined the University of Southern California faculty in 2010 and is currently a professor of choral music, conductor of the USC Thornton Chamber Singers, and chair of the Department of Choral Music. He has traveled to Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania as a conductor, clinician, academic, and adjudicator. Grases has presented at numerous international conventions and symposia as an expert in Latin American choral music. He is an award-winning composer and has served the field as the IFCM vice president for Latin America until 2020, the R&R chair ethnic music for the Western ACDA Region (2009-2018), and many other leadership positions. Additionally, he has served in numerous international artistic committees including the World Youth Choir and the World Symposium on Choral Music.