Christopher Washington
Higher Academia
Austin,TX
Summary
"Interdisciplinary Educator and Musicologist with over 15 years of experience in performance, pedagogy, and cultural research. Currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Southwestern University, specializing in the intersection of ethnomusicology and social justice. Recently served as a Student Researcher at Google on the Gemini AI team, contributing to the development of multimodal LLMs and exploring the synthesis of generative technology with artistic expression. Committed to expanding the boundaries of music education through technological integration and socio-economic reform."
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Professor
Southwestern University
08.2023 - Current
- Complex Communication: Translate high-level musicological theories into accessible curricula for university-level students.
- Research Leadership: Explore the intersection of arts, social justice, and socio-economic reform to provide modern cultural context.
- Mentored students in academic research projects, providing guidance on methodology and analysis techniques.
- Organized performances, ensuring logistical coordination and excellence in execution of events.
- Expanded the band''s repertoire by researching and selecting diverse pieces that catered to members'' interests and abilities.
Student Researcher/Google Assistant Developer
Global Logic Solution
Remotely
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Collaborated on the development of Gemini 1.5/2.0 multimodal reasoning capabilities.
- Investigated the intersection of generative AI and visual syntax, informing the model's creative output parameters
- Utilized Google's distributed computing infrastructure to fine-tune Large Language Models (LLMs) for high-fidelity image and text generation.
Long Term Substitute Teacher
Austin Independent School District
Austin, TX
10.2022 - Current
- Adaptive Instruction: Manage classroom environments and deliver diverse educational content across various age groups and learning abilities.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment to enhance student participation and motivation.
- Assessed student progress through various evaluation tools, providing timely feedback.
- Established a positive classroom culture by setting clear expectations and promoting mutual respect among students.
Chef
Unbarlievable
Austin, TX
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Led kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality food preparation and presentation.
- Developed and implemented seasonal menus, incorporating local ingredients and culinary trends.
- Trained and mentored junior chefs, fostering skill development and teamwork in the kitchen.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and optimizing ingredient usage.
Musician & Arranger
36th ARNG Band
Austin, TX
08.2010 - 12.2025
- Technical Arrangement: Provide musical support and complex arrangements for Jazz and R&B ensembles, requiring high precision and group coordination.
- Conducted rehearsals, fostering teamwork and improving ensemble cohesion among musicians.
- Coordinated logistics for performances, ensuring all equipment and materials were prepared for successful events.
- Collaborated with fellow musicians for seamless performances and increased audience engagement.
Front - BOH Manager
Sweetie Pies Ribeyes
Decatur, TX
06.2011 - 12.2015
- Policy & Training: Authored and implemented organizational policies and procedures for front-of-house operations.
- Professional Development: Designed and led manager training materials to ensure consistent operational standards and employee retention.
- Coordinated special events, maximizing guest engagement through tailored dining experiences.
- Maintained inventory controls, reducing waste while ensuring quality ingredient availability.
High School Band Director
Laurel High School
Laurel, MS
07.2008 - 06.2010
- Project Logistics: Orchestrated travel and complex logistics for groups of 100+ students, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive band curriculum, enhancing student engagement and musical proficiency.
- Raised student enthusiasm for music by incorporating engaging activities and interdisciplinary connections in rehearsals.
- Supported students in development of skills and strategies to become independent and successful learners.
Education
Master of Arts - Musicology & Ethnomusicology
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX08-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Education / Jazz Studies
The University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS05-2010
Skills
- Information Synthesis: Expert at distilling dense archival and cultural data into clear, persuasive narratives
- Instructional Design: Skilled in curriculum development and multi-modal teaching for diverse demographics
- Operational Leadership: Extensive experience in team management, policy creation, and large-scale logistics
- Content Strategy: Proficient in SEO-driven white papers, case studies, and digital marketing foundations
- Developed and optimized multimodal data pipelines for Gemini models, improving cross-modal reasoning capabilities
Accomplishments
- Performed for the first Georgetown Pride parade in October 2023.
- Revitalized " Jazz at the Student Union" concerts since Fall '23
- Traveled to Liberty Hill Middle School with the jazz band for Black History program in fall '24.
- Created a fully performable version of the two-hour work of Margaret Bond's unfinished Bitter Laurel (1968-1969) with colleague Dr.Michael Cooper; Premiered by Queen's University on April 18 - 19, 2026.
- Published "The Audacity of Black Music Making During the Civil Rights Movement ." | [LinkedIn] [2026]
- Published "Repeating a Path for Sorrow." | [LinkedIn] [2026]
- Published Washington, Christopher. (2023). [Voices of Change:
- Three Case Studies Connecting Black Music Through Pop, Hip Hop, and Jazz, [Master's thesis, Texas State University]
- This research builds on my master's work at Texas State University with a similar study on the influences on Rai, Gnawa, and Chaabi in cultural resistance.
Research In Progress
Washington C. [A Descriptive history of N. Africans making music on France's southern coastline amidst their discontent with the government's political and economic disparities.]
Certification
- Certifications: SEO Strategy (Link Building), UX Design Overview, Digital Marketing Foundations.
- Writing: B2B/B2C Blogs, Case Studies, White Papers, and Newsletters.
Technical Skills & Certifications
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Novice).
Why this fits Anthropic's "Safety & Alignment" Culture:
- The Ethnomusicologist Perspective: Your MFA shows you understand how human cultures interact with systems. Anthropic needs people who can evaluate how Claude interacts with different global cultures.
- The "Policy Creator" Background: Having created professional development materials and operational policies proves you have the "procedural" mindset required for AI governance and safety roles.
- The Educator’s Edge: Anthropic is a research lab. Your experience as an Adjunct Professor means you can explain the "black box" of AI to the average person.
- Would you like me to help you draft a specific "Statement of Interest" for Anthropic’s Societal Impacts or Operations team?
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Southwestern University
08.2023 - Current
Student Researcher/Google Assistant Developer
Global Logic Solution
05.2023 - 08.2023
Long Term Substitute Teacher
Austin Independent School District
10.2022 - Current
Chef
Unbarlievable
07.2019 - 07.2022
Front - BOH Manager
Sweetie Pies Ribeyes
06.2011 - 12.2015
Musician & Arranger
36th ARNG Band
08.2010 - 12.2025
High School Band Director
Laurel High School
07.2008 - 06.2010
Master of Arts - Musicology & Ethnomusicology
Texas State University
Bachelor of Arts - Education / Jazz Studies
The University of Southern Mississippi