I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with the State of Washington, in addition to being a Certificated School Counselor. I have a B.A. from Amherst College in Classics and a Master’s degree from Seattle University in Mental Health and School Counseling. I used to teach Greek, Latin, History and Philosophy at Milton and Tabor academies in Massachusetts and was also a professional classical musician for many years. Before coming to schools, I was a mental health and behavior therapist for Seattle Children’s Home and Navos, as well as in private practice. On a personal note, I have one daughter and three step-sons, and I love music, surfing, sailing, hiking and SCUBA diving!
I look forward to supporting your children and the TOPS community!
Elliot Bay Music Educators Association - Orchestra Representative
Washington-American String Teachers Association, Western Washington Chair
Personal Message
I am very excited to be in my 10th year working with TOPS Orchestra kids. Teaching strings is my passion. I love getting to work with students when they are first discovering the joys (and trials) of learning to play the violin, viola, cello or bass.
I am always here for questions and working on how to make this the most successful musical experience for your student, please contact me!
I have worked in special education for 7 years. I love the outdoors, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I am usually reading 2-3 books at a time ranging from fantasy/Science fiction, woodworking or outdoor literature. I love to laugh and coach track. My favorite subject is science!
Hello my name is Chris Munford. I am originally from the east coast, New Jersey, but have called Seattle my home for 30+ years. My interest in math and science lead me to pursue a career in architecture and I earned a B.Arch at Syracuse University. After college I moved to the west coast to follow my dreams of being an architect. After many years of designing and building spaces, structures and houses I felt satisfied I had fully explored the career and I was looking for new pursuits. I earned my Masters in Education at Seattle Pacific University and completed my internship at McClure Middle School teaching mathematics.
I’ve discovered that teaching gives me the opportunity to make an authentic positive impact on the future every day by helping to shape our next generation. I make an effort each day to help children unravel and share the uniqueness of their own experience.
I am the proud dad to three boys, aged 8, 11, and 15 years old. We enjoy basketball, gaming, camping, and road trips together. I’ve played and recorded music since I was a teenager and my bands have toured the U.S. and abroad and released multiple albums. Recently I built a new fence in my front yard and it is great.
