Cris Gale

Cris Gale is foremost an ocarinist, but is also an ocarina designer, teacher, and popularist. Originally trained as a flutist, Cris changed her primary instrument to the ocarina in 1999. Through her deep appreciation for Koji Kondo's music from The Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time she discovered the instrument - and has never looked back!

Over the years her enthusiasm for the ocarina has blossomed into a career. At first she performed locally at events for family and friends, and occasionally found studio work. After winning an international star search competition in 2009, Cris began seriously pursuing the ocarina and since then has performed in some of the most prestigious venues around the world, released her highly praised line of Aria ocarinas, and founded the United States Ocarina Association. With a collection of over 300 ocarinas, Cris is currently working to create the first United States Ocarina Museum.

In addition to Cris' work popularizing the ocarina, she is also very passionate about furthering cultural interchange. The ocarina enjoys a universal appeal that crosses cultural boundaries and Cris is honored to partner with a multitude of organizations to help increase cultural understanding through the ocarina. From partnerships with the Japan-American Society of DFW, and the Celebrating Asian American Heritage Foundation, to performing and holding educational panels at Anime and Video-gaming conventions, she continues to work to popularize the ocarina and continuously strives to bring the ocarina to new audiences.

When Cris isn't performing or traveling, Cris teaches, records, and produces music from her home studio in North Texas. Most recently she recorded for Grammy nominated and BAFTA winning composer Austin Wintory, and is currently planning her second solo album and the 2015 United States Ocarina Festival (October 10th-11th in Allen TX).

Some Highlights:

2009 : Won STL Ocarina's International Star Search Competition.

2010: Produced highly acclaimed ocarina overview Youtube video series (in partnership with STL Ocarina).

2011: Represented the United States at the International Ocarina Festival in the ocarina's birthplace, Budrio Italy.

2012: Represented the United States at International Ocarina Festival in HongSeong South Korea (Sponsored by Noble Ocarina).

2012: Launched "Aria" line of ocarinas, to much acclaim and praise.

2012: Featured soloist in Austin Wintory's "Horn" music.

2012: Preshow performance at the DFW Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses concert.

2013: Summer Asia concert tour. (Charity Concerts Sponsored by Focalink Ocarina. Japan concerts sponsored by Night Ocarina.)

2013: Performed at Nintendo Merchandising Inc and Nintendo of America's "All Company" meetings.

2013: Founded the United States Ocarina Association.

2014: Co-headlined the sold out Japan-American Friendship concert at Carnegie Hall.

2014: Returned to Japan for a series of concerts (Sponsored by Night Ocarina)

2014: Organized and hosted the first United States Ocarina Festival

2015: Writing an ocarina method book for a major US publisher.

2015: Organized and Hosted the 2015 United States Ocarina Festival (October 10th-11th : Allen TX)

2016: Planning the 2016 United States Ocarina Festival (October 10th: Allen TX)