Dr. Kristina Rizzotto
Dr. Kristina Rizzotto has served as a church musician since 2006, in the capacities of liturgical organist and director of adult and school choirs, as well as of handbell ensembles and a schola cantorum. She is also an active international recitalist, having played organ and piano concerts in Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and in 22 American states. Dr. Rizzotto was named a member of The Diapason’s 20 Under 30 Class of 2017, which recognizes young leaders in the fields of organ, harpsichord, carillon, and church music. Dr. Rizzotto is a self-published composer. She holds a Doctorate in Organ Performance from the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Music in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Magna cum Laude). Her doctoral dissertation was about the importance of music in the formation of the national identity of the Latvian people, focusing on organ compositions by Aivars Kalējs which represent the values and spirit of the Latvian heritage. Her YouTube channel features nearly 400 organ, piano, and choral recordings, which have been watched more than 2 million times. Dr. Rizzotto is married and has three children.