Mr. Celella's Opus
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Mr. Celella sining a tune with his classroom and studio in the background.
He sang for the Pope in The Vatican City as a member of the New Haven Chorale and at Carnegie Hall as a member of BU Choirs. He drove a beat-up van and hauled gear as a manager of a rock band. He performed virtual concerts for the MSA community during the pandemic.
For over fourteen years, Chris Celella has been inspiring students from his studio on the third floor of Caton Hall, beneath the Bell Tower. Whether encouraging a beginner to pick up an instrument for the first time or guiding seasoned musicians toward their dreams in the performing arts, he has ignited a love for music in countless students.
“Mr C’s enthusiasm for teaching music and theater is contagious. His high level of energy makes for exciting and vibrant lessons whether he is in the music studio, in the Chapel Theater, or leading the entire community in singing the alma mater.
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When you walk into Mr. Celella’s classroom (or Mr. C, as he is affectionately known on campus), you feel a sense of relaxation and urgency. Students buzz around the room—moving from the recording studio to the practice rooms, from working one-on-one with Mr. C to performing with friends in the group practice room. Some are creating, crafting digital soundtracks for video games on their laptops. Some are performing, playing Beethoven on a violin in a quiet studio. Some are rehearsing, jamming with rock bands for upcoming gigs. And some are beginning, learning their first chord progressions with Mr. C guiding them note by note. Somehow, in all the chaos, there is harmony. Somehow, in all the noise, there is music. Somehow, Mr. C strings it all together, conducting his class like an orchestra that has been playing together for a decade. It is an inspiring scene—a symphony in motion, with a new soundtrack every day.
“Somehow, in all the chaos, there is harmony. Somehow, in all the noise, there is music. Somehow, Mr. C strings it all together, conducting his class like an orchestra that has been playing together for a decade. It is an inspiring scene—a symphony in motion, with a new soundtrack every day.”
How did Mr. Celella find his way to Miller School? His path to the third floor of Caton Hall mirrors the twists and turns of Baroque chamber music—complex, unexpected, and full of twists and turns.
After finishing an album release with the band, Trees On Fire, and wrapping up Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Live Arts stage in Charlottesville, Mr. C found himself at a crossroads. His passion for music had begun to shift, leaning increasingly toward introducing others to the joys of playing, singing, and performing. Having settled in the tiny, picturesque town of Batesville to be near his bandmates, Mr. C was just a few miles from Miller School—and the Hill called to him. He dreamed of teaching there.
Being a bold and determined individual, Mr. C walked straight into the office of Rick France, then the Director of Academics, to apply for a job that had serendipitously opened that summer. While Mr. France was impressed by his enthusiasm and experience as a musician and actor, he felt that Mr. C needed more formal training before stepping into a classroom. The rejection stung, but in hindsight, it proved to be a pivotal moment in his journey.
Motivated to succeed, Mr. C enrolled at the University of Virginia to earn a Master’s Degree in Education. He returned to Miller School as part of his thesis work, observing veteran teachers and gaining insight into the art of teaching. While his dream of teaching had been deferred, this time of reflection and growth at UVA prepared him for a future on the Hill.
As fate would have it, just as he was finishing his degree in 2010, another teaching position opened at Miller. Armed with real-world experience and a newly minted academic degree, Mr. C stepped into the role he had long envisioned. He has been rocking and rolling on the Hill ever since.
Over the past fifteen years, Mr. C has shaped the Miller School experience in many ways. Beyond teaching studio music, he has directed over twenty musicals and more than seventy-five performances, transforming students with little to no stage experience into confident performers. The list of shows is as impressive as it is diverse, featuring classics like The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Oklahoma, Grease, and The Addams Family.
True to his student-centered approach, Mr. C ensures that every production is a collaborative effort. Students take the reins as directors, actors, singers, dancers, costume designers, make-up artists, set builders, and audio technicians, fully embodying MSA’s Mind, Hands, Hearts motto.
Mr. C also lives out this motto in his own work ethic–always willing to roll up his sleeves and pick up a hammer and some nails. Early in his career, he spent a summer personally renovating the music studio—adding rehearsal spaces and building a recording studio to give students the tools they need to excel. He later extended the stage in the Chapel for performances, allowing for bigger productions and more student participation in shows.
Some things feel destined, and Mr. C’s career on the Hill is one of them. From the moment he stepped onto campus, the rhythm and beat of life at MSA have been richer and more vibrant. He shares music with others because he is passionate about music; he is passionate about music because he shares music with others.
“He shares music with others because he is passionate about music; he is passionate about music because he shares music with others.”
