KRISTI PONCE is a dedicated pianist and educator based in Southern California. She received her Master of Music (M.M) degree in Piano Performance from California State University of Long Beach, Bob Cole Conservatory of Music where she studied with pianist and composer Craig Richey.  She received her Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in Piano Performance from Chapman University, Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dr. Janice Park, the coordinator of Secondary Piano. 

Kristi has an undeniable passion for playing piano, and during her studies she was honored with awards including the Chapman University Piano Performance Award, the Chapman University New Music Ensemble Award, the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Piano Award, the Richard and Johanna Baker Scholarship, and more. She has placed 1st in many competitions including the MTAC Romantic and Impressionistic Festival, the District VIII CAPMT Piano Sonata Festival, and the District VIII CAPMT Honors Auditions where she continued to compete at the CAPMT State Conference.  She has had the privilege of performing in masterclasses given by world renown pianists including Abbey Simon, Anne Perry, Ning An, Arthur Green, Michael Lewin, and Nadia Shpachenko. 

Kristi is highly involved in the teaching community and served as president for the CSULB MTNA collegiate chapter. She has given presentations on music teaching at the annual Piano Pedagogy Symposium, and loves attending these conferences to further strengthen her teaching skills and spark new ideas for lessons. Kristi currently runs her private music studio, Kristi’s Piano Studio, where she enjoys teaching and working with students of all ages and levels. She provides in-home piano lessons, and her teaching style is encouraging, enthusiastic, detailed, and caring.  She also enjoys playing piano for weddings, church services, and other special events. Outside of her work, you can find her reading fiction books, running or hiking outside, petting all cats in sight, and going on food adventures with her husband.