Cristina Vaira Image

Image by Baxter Photography

Alum

Cristina Vaira

Associate Professor

For media inquiries, please contact Media Relations

Cristina Vaira is an award-winning singer-songwriter, published author, and entrepreneur. Her musical duo, Jandro & Cristina, created with her husband, Jandro Cisneros (a Berklee Professor and artist), has gathered international acclaim. The UN Women recognized their empowering single “Libertà, Libertad!” as the opening song for their Global Voices Film Festival in 2021. Their impact reaches far and wide, earning praises from national publications in Mexico, including Reforma, La Jornada, and EstiloDF.

Jandro & Cristina worked on the soundtrack of the award-winning feature documentary The Life of Venerable Bruno Lanteri, launched on national television in Italy. They performed their music and hosted master classes in the US, Mexico, and Italy. Cristina’s music has been featured on national Italian radio such as Radio Monte Carlo, Radio 105, Virgin Radio, and many others. She was also selected for the semi-final auditions on the TV show X-Factor Italy.

Prior to her US journey, Cristina obtained a master’s degree in music business from the Catholic University of Milan and worked at the major record label EMI Music Italy, promoting the Italian tours and releases of artists such as Katy Perry, Coldplay, Norah Jones, Kings of Convenience, Jet, Joss Stone, and Tiziano Ferro, among others.

Awards
  • Cristina’s singles “Libera-mente” and “Dentro Te” won at the Cantazzuro Festival in 2008 and Festival delle Due Riviere in 2009
  • Cristina got to the semi-final auditions of the talent show X-Factor Italy
In Their Own Words

"As a teacher, my purpose is to ignite a flame within each student, propelling them beyond their perceived limitations. I foster an environment of boundless possibilities, devoid of judgement, where they can fearlessly embrace risks, collaboration, and emotional expression. By sharing my unique global perspective as a European married to a Mexican artist, and having traversed the world, I cultivate an inclusive space where diverse languages, values, and cultures find a harmonious voice, possibly transmuted into captivating songs."