Excellence
ROOTED IN PRAYER AND TRADITION
Over 25+ years of experience and study
Mission
A TREASURE OF INESTIMABLE VALUE
The Gregorian Chant Academy exists to lead souls into deeper union with Christ through the sacred beauty of Gregorian chant. It seeks to:
- Make the riches of Gregorian chant accessible to all
- Form instructors who can transmit the repertoire as a living tradition.
- Foster the singing of chant in parishes, schools, monasteries, choirs, and ensembles, as well as in concert settings.
“[Sacred music is a] treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art... The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place (principem locum) in liturgical services.” – Sacrosanctum Concilium, Vatican II
The GCA believes Gregorian chant should be learned like a language: its “vocabulary” and syntax are absorbed through practice, gradually enriching both musical skill and spiritual life. Careful listening and meditation on the texts of the chant are also critically important.
This vision is realized above all through the online Master Course—a structured 7‑step system that balances understanding and practice for intelligent, prayerful, and confident liturgical singing: neither overly academic nor over‑simplified.
To read more about the GCA’s teaching philosophy, click HERE.
How We Fulfill Our Mission
- Online, self‑paced courses rooted in the methods used at the Pontifical Institutes of Sacred Music
- Expertly designed video lessons, practice drills, model recordings, and quizzes to build confident liturgical performance
- Optional 1‑to‑1 vocal training for healthy, effective singing technique
- A private online community of peers and mentors for accountability, feedback, and ongoing support
CHRISTOPHER JASPER
Born in 1986, Christopher was raised in the traditional Catholic liturgy from birth and began singing in choirs and Gregorian scholas as a young boy soprano in 1997. He has studied and performed Gregorian Chant with dedication ever since, directing ensembles in various locations since 2007.
In 2025, he was invited to help teach Gregorian Chant at a summer conference at the Abbey of Solesmes—where he had studied 15 years prior. In 2022 and 2023, Christopher organized and hosted the world’s first and second online international Gregorian Chant conferences. These landmark events featured esteemed speakers such as Msgr. Alberto Turco, Prof. Giacomo Baroffio, Dr. William Mahrt, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Dr. Edward Schaefer, Fr. Chad Ripperger, Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, and many others.
Religious Life & Personal Background:
Originally pursuing a career in acting and filmmaking, Christopher graduated from the New York Film Academy in Hollywood in 2008. However, after witnessing the moral degradation of the entertainment industry firsthand, he chose to leave that path behind. While supporting himself as a professional welder and fabricator, he redirected his life toward pursuing a career in sacred music.
In 2014, he entered the traditional Benedictine Monastero di San Benedetto in Norcia, Italy—now an abbey—living life as a Postulant. Though, with the help of his superiors, he ultimately discerned it was not his vocation, he left as a Benedictine Oblate and continues to live out that spiritual affiliation to this day.
Vocal Pedagogy:
In January 2025, Christopher began a two-year fully accredited program through Vocal Process Ltd, based in the UK, to become an internationally certified singing teacher. Additionally, in December of 2025, he completed his Level 1 certification training in the vocal training of Andrew Byrne (The Singing Athlete), rooted in neurology, physiology and kinesiology. He now offers in-person and online voice lessons as well.
He lives in the rural mountains of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with his wife and five children, where they attend St. Joan of Arc Catholic church, a Traditional Latin Mass parish served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.
Key Directing Positions:
Over the years, Christopher has directed chant at numerous locations, including:
- Mel Gibson's private Holy Family Chapel in Agoura Hills, CA
- the historic Five Wounds church in San Jose, CA
- Cathedral of St Thomas Aquinas in Reno, NV
- St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Education & Training:
In addition to autodidactic studies and lived experience, some of his formal studies and training include:
- Advanced studies at the Abbey of Solesmes (2010) under the direction of the late Dom Daniel Saulnier of Solesmes.
- Advanced studies at Le Centre d'Etudes Superieures de la Renaissance in Tours, France (2013) under the direction of the late Dom Daniel Saulnier
- Postulant (2014) and current oblate of the traditional Benedictine Abbey of St Benedetto in Norcia, Italy
- Regular correspondence with Dom Saulnier+, Msgr Alberto Turco and Giacomo Baroffio
- Schola Cantor and choir member under Mr Jeffrey Morse (2001-2007) at St Stephen the First Martyr, in Sacramento, CA (Mr. Morse was friend and student of the late Dr Mary Berry/Sr Thomas More of Cambridge University)
GCA's Founding History
The vision for Gregorian Chant Academy began as early as 2010, when Christopher first dreamed of building a professional, accessible platform for learning Gregorian chant online; combining his talents and skills as an actor and filmmaker with his talent and skills in Gregorian Chant.
In 2014, after spending time as a postulant at the Benedictine monastery of San Benedetto in Norcia, Italy, Christopher returned to the U.S. to begin family life. A few years later, tragedy struck. On March 20, 2019, Christopher, his wife, and his father lost everything in a devastating house fire. After months of helping rebuild both his father's home and then his own—thanks to insurance coverage—Christopher faced severe underemployment.
It was then, in January 2021, that he decided to take a leap of faith and launch the Gregorian Chant Academy on YouTube. He had only just discovered that YouTube could generate income, though he quickly learned how difficult that path could be. Still, through persistence and passion, the channel gained traction—reaching over 10,000 subscribers within a year, and over 30,000 by year two.
Encouraged by the momentum, Christopher launched the beta version of his online master course in March 2022. It quickly sold out, prompting him to close his woodworking business and commit full-time to the Academy.
In 2023, Christopher initiated a merger of Gregorian Chant Academy with Floriani Sacred Music; the GCA became its official online educational division, and Christopher joined the ensemble as its fifth member.
By July 2025, after much prayer and discernment the Academy and Floriani parted ways to operate as separate entities once again—allowing each to pursue its unique mission with greater focus and flexibility, while continuing their shared dedication to the renewal of sacred music.
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