Artistic Staff
Meet Safonia's Artistic Staff
Art Director
Christa “Freddy” Fredrickson
(she/her)
Christa Fredrickson (she/her) is the newly appointed Artistic Director of Safonia. She holds a Bachelor of Vocal Performance from NMSU and a Master of Performance in Choral Conducting from the same institution. She completed a master’s thesis focused on Hildegard von Bingen, transcribing her chants for developing choirs. As a mezzo-soprano, Fredrickson has performed as a soloist with the Masterworks Chorus for performances of Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” and Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” with the Vox Vallis Women’s Ensemble. Her versatility extends to theatrical roles, including Rapunzel in “Into the Woods,” Hansel in “Hansel and Gretel,” The Sorceress in “Dido and Aeneas,” Antonia in “Man of La Mancha,” and Winifred Banks, in “Mary Poppins.”
Her teaching tenure at Centennial High School spanned six years, during which her choir ensemble garnered numerous awards, honors, and was designated the State Honor Choir for NMMEA in 2021. She served as Choral Vice President for Southwest New Mexico Music Educators from 2020-2023 and is currently Treasurer at the New Mexico American Choral Directors Association.
She is also an Adjunct Professor at NMSU, directing and choreographing Broadway Revue shows and conducting productions like “My Fair Lady.” Fredrickson’s work extends beyond conducting high school. She has conducted collegiate, and community choruses which have performed in Carnegie Hall, Mexico, and Austria. Additionally, she is the director and composer of the Dona Ana Arts Council’s Opera Storytellers, an opera program for children. Noteworthy musical theater productions directed by Fredrickson include “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” “Into the Woods,” and “The Wizard of Oz,” which have earned many nominations. Her Musical Theatre Ensemble was named “Best Ensemble” in the state of New Mexico for the past two years.
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Beyond the musical realm, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Bruiser, a companion she adopted from a shelter after he was rescued to play his namesake in “Legally Blonde.”
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Accompanist
Kelli Horten
(she/her)
Kelli Horton, a native of Savannah, Georgia, is an internationally acclaimed pianist, educator, and collaborator whose career has spanned diverse cultural and musical landscapes. Her work has taken her to countries including India, Ireland, England, France, Cambodia, Nepal, and Indonesia, where she has left a mark through both performance and teaching.
Ms. Horton holds a Master’s Degree in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Pedagogy from Columbus State University. Her career is marked by her extensive collaboration with prominent conductors such as Cristian Grases, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Nick Strimple, Rodney Eichenberger, Keitaro Harada, and George Del Gobbo. She has also been a sought-after studio pianist for renowned pedagogues including Thomas Bogdan, Cynthia Munzer, Rod Gilfry, Gary Glaze, and Shigemi Matsumoto.
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Her performance credits include appearances with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale, I Cantori Choral Ensemble, Savannah Philharmonic, Spectra Choir, and the Dore Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Additionally, she has worked with various regional theatre companies and has been featured in films such as The Last Song and The Conspirator.
Ms. Horton’s passion for education is reflected in her roles at esteemed institutions such as Woodstock School in India, Bennington College in Vermont, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. She has had the privilege of teaching notable figures including Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, and Justin Long. Additionally, she served as the Director of Piano Studies and Music Department Chair at Savannah Arts Academy in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Horton is the founder and director of KH Piano Academy in Denver, Colorado.
Her current research focuses on mindful movement at the instrument and beyond, a pursuit that informs both her teaching and performance. Additionally, Ms Horton is committed to promoting the music of Women and underrepresented voices. Ms. Horton is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Yoga Alliance, and the Association for Body Mapping Educators. She serves on the Board of Bach Ascending and is a Steinway Teacher & Educator Partner.