My Story
 

I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Northwestern High School in Albion, Pennsylvania. My passion for music and art began at an early age, leading me to join my school choir at eight and start playing the flute at ten. This early enthusiasm for music led me to join the United States Marine Corps Band immediately after high school.

 

I served for 20 years in the Marine Corps Band as a flute instrumentalist and was promoted to conductor in 2009. I retired from the Marine Corps in December 2020. During my service, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Thomas Edison State University. From January 2021 to 2023, I pursued a Master of Arts in Music Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, later transitioning to a Master of Arts in Music Technology, which I am scheduled to complete in June 2026.

 

Since my retirement from the Marine Corps Band, I have had the privilege of teaching at two schools in Hawaii. From August 2023 to 2024, I taught K-8 general music and beginning band at Assets School. From July 2024 to 2025, I taught ukulele, beginning band, and advanced band and orchestra at Hanalani Schools. These experiences have been incredibly insightful and have reinforced my desire to contribute to music education. In February 2024, influenced by a friend, I established Note Gallery LLC. I am now looking forward to completing my master's degree, continuing to teach, perform, and share my artistic endeavors.

 

Aloha and God Bless, Christi Espinoza