Chris Reza
Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer, and Educator
United States

Chris wrote the book, music and lyrics to Question 1, a new satirical musical dramedy about a closeted politician who becomes the center of Maine’s 2009 same-sex marriage debate. The show explores how the choices we make determine whether each of us contributes strife or kindness to humanity. Question 1 was selected and presented in the 2017 Theatre Resources Unlimited TRU Voices Musical Reading Series. Visit www.Question1Musical.com to learn more.
Chris holds a Masters Degree in Jazz Composition from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with the world-renowned Grammy Award-Winning composer/pianist, Jim McNeely, and Grammy-nominated composer Dr. Edward Green. Furthermore, Chris holds two Bachelors Degrees from the University of North Texas (UNT) in Multiple Woodwinds Performance and Jazz Studies Performance.
Additional work includes performances with distinguished individuals and ensembles such as Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Anika Noni Rose, Michael Cerveris, Marc Shaiman, Maureen McGovern, Jenn Colella, Lyle Mays, Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, UNT Wind Symphony, and numerous other ensembles. Chris is featured on the original cast recordings of the musicals God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, A Second Chance, and Tokio Confidential as well multiple albums by the UNT Wind Symphony and 2 O’Clock Lab Band.
Chris serves as Vice-Chair of the Broadway Theatre Committee, the liaison between the Broadway Musicians Community and the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, American Federation of Musicians Local 802, one of the largest local unions of professional musicians in the world.
With over 10 years of experience privately teaching composition, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, and flute to grade levels 4 through college, Chris is also a recurring guest lecturer at the Manhattan School of Music on topics such as “jazz in musical theater” and “music and dance in musical theater.”
Greenroom Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring students and those finding their own path to “making it” in the performing arts, featured Chris Reza on his experiences breaking into the Broadway scene. The interview is available here: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kevin-chavez/greenroom-conversations/e/s01e06-chris-reza-35662682