Peter Varga

As Music Trust Development Officer, I work closely with the Christ Church Cathedral Choir to promote the musical life of the House and fundraise for its continued vibrancy with the aim of promoting excellence, education, and access in perpetuity.  As an experimental psychology DPhil student at Christ Church, my research on the interpersonal communication of emotion through music brings together my lifelong love of music, strong foundation in philosophy and theology, and deep academic interest in psychological science.  I studied guitar performance at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts while concurrently serving as Organ Scholar at St Dominic's Church, San Francisco.  I received my BA in psychology from The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) with minors in neuroscience, philosophy, and theology & religious studies, earning honours in classical philosophy, theology, and humanities.  During my time at Catholic University, I founded and directed the Medieval Society Schola Cantorum and served as administrative assistant to the Pastoral Associate for Liturgy and Director of Music Ministries at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle.  I also undertook tutorials spanning philosophy; John Henry Newman; and art, culture, and Christian theology with Revd Dr Andrew Teal (Pembroke College, Oxford) whilst a visiting student at Christ Church.  I went on to earn my MS in psychological sciences from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where I directed the William & Mary Schola Cantorum including for weekly services at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.  At Christ Church, I sing with the College Choir.  I am pleased to bring together these diverse and interdisciplinary experiences in my work with the Music Trust to support the long and venerable tradition of sacred music at Christ Church.