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MEET OUR TEAM
Today’s students are tomorrow’s strength: artists, technicians, entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers and pastors. At SACI, we’re preparing young people with skills, knowledge, and values that will last a lifetime. Who are you entrusting your child to be with? Take a look below.
JOE CRISTINA - FOUNDER
Composer, arranger and orchestrator Joe Cristina brings over 35 years of professional experience to his musical projects and community outreach. Joe received his formal musical training in trombone performance at California State University, Fullerton and composition and arranging at the Grove School of Music, Studio City. Cristina’s original works for orchestra and chamber ensemble have been premiered by groups at University of Alabama, University of Southern California, University of Memphis, Fullerton College, Azusa Pacific University and Vanguard University. Joe also holds an instructional certificate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, as he was a volunteer instructor for three years through the Berklee City Music Network. He works as Director of AV and Production and musical arranger and orchestrator at St. Andrew’s Church in Newport Beach, CA. He is the founder and director of the St. Andrews Creative Institute (SACI), a program that provides an intersection of music, arts and faith for high school and middle school students. Joe is also an adjunct professor at Vanguard University, teaching music production and arranging.
GINA PIERCE - VOCALS
Gina Pierce is a singer, worship leader, and vocal coach. At the age of nine, Gina began singing with professional Christian groups that introduced her to the power of worship. The love of ministering God’s Word through song led her to accepting the position as the Director of the Sanctuary and children choirs at The Rock Church. At The Rock, she served as a worship leader and vocal coach for 18 years. God has blessed her by putting her in the position here at St. Andrew’s to mentor to the youth through SACI. Working with the youth has always been dear to her heart. It is her honor to be a part of such a beautiful and rewarding program.
RAMON BLANCO - GUITAR
Ramon Blanco is from Granada, Spain. He started his musical studies at age 8. He enrolled the Music Conservatory in Granada where he studied music theory and classical guitar. When he was 18, Ramon started working as a professional guitar player and composer in different bands and projects. He released two records: one with a band called Time, “Para bien o para mal” (2007) and another one with a band called Kronnen, “Salto al Vacio” (2008). He also toured throughout Spain for more than 7 years performing over 1000 shows with another band called Chasis. He worked with two theatre companies for two seasons. During that time, he was the principle guitar player in the musicals: “Jesus Christ, Superstar” and “Rent” He moved to Los Angeles in 2010 and enrolled at the Musicians Institute. He graduated in 2011 with an Associate of Art Degree in Guitar. He has performed on major TV shows like "The Connan O’Brien Show,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” with Luis Fonsi, and “The Late Night Seth Meyers Show” with Grandson. He has toured all over the world with Grandson and played in numerous prestigious festivals. Since he graduated he has worked with Grammy winning producers like Andres Torres, Sebastian Krys, and Brandon Friesen, and recording guitars for prestigious artist like Luis Fonsi, Good guys In Black, Darkhourse Rising, Hirsh etc. Ramon also has his Degree in Education by the University of Granada and since his graduation, he has combined his professional career with his career teaching music. With more that 10 year of experience in this field, he has taught hundreds of students how to play guitar and how become better all rounded musicians.
GUI BODI - BASS AND VOCALS
Gui Bodi moved to Hollywood to attend the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (MI) in 2010 (where he's been working since 2014) and has been living in Los Angeles ever since. In 2021, he participated in a National TV competition on E! Entertainment Television called Clash Of The Cover Bands, with his band Fooz Fighters, and judges Adam Lambert, Meghan Trainor, and Ester Dean. He has played at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas in 2019, with Blues extraordinaire Artur Menezes, alongside music legends like Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Tedeschi Trucks Band, John Mayer, Andy Timmons and Eric Johnson, to name a few. In 2018, they also played at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, representing the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, where they got Third Place on the Band Category. In 2017, Gui shared the stage with Luis Fonsi twice, at the Conan O'Brien Show and the Ellen Degeneres show, performing his hit song "Despacito" on national television. That same year, the Disciples Of Babylon played the DEW Tour Festival in Long Beach and the MMA Championship Series at the legendary Coliseum in Los Angeles.