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ABOUT

Born in Wilmington, DE, and raised in Hockessin, Chris discovered a love of music and theatre at a very young age - from sitting on the kneeler and playing the pew like an organ at church to create and performing skits with this sister. He appeared in two middle school productions - Rosemary for Remembrance and The Wizard of Oz - that's where it all began!

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Chris moved to Wilmington, NC, in 2000 to pursue a degree in Marine Biology from UNC-Wilmington, but he just couldn't let go of the music and theatre worlds. He is a cum laude graduate of UNC-Wilmington with a B.S. in Marine Biolgy, and a B.A. in Theatre (with a minor in Music - Vocal Performance).  

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While living in Wilmington, NC for 15 years, Chris performed in over a dozen local community theatre shows.  His favorites include "Mr. Smee" in PETER PAN, "Too Darn Hot Chris" in KISS, ME KATE, "Handsome Alan" in BABES IN TOYLAND, "Ryan" in Disney's  HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, and “Adam” in the world premiere reading of his musical, FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS (co-written with Barbara Gallagher). In November 2005, Chris originated the role of "Julius" in the world premeire of POMPEII: A NEW MUSICAL, opposite Richard White. The Dorothy Papadakos musical premiered at Thalian Hall in Wilmington, NC to rave reviews!  Catherine Bayley, Star-News Correspondent, writes: "And local Mr. Dayett brings down the house with his rendition of A Senator in Rome featuring a line of can-can boys." 

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Chris was active in church music ministry for over 15 years, serving as Cantor, Praise Band Director, and Music Director at various churches in the Wilmington, NC and DE areas. As a sacred music composer, he has written dozens of songs, over a hundred psalms, and several Mass settings. Several of his songs have been translated into Spanish. 

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Missing the theatrical side of his career, Chris earned his M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University in 2016. His graduate thesis was in playwriting. He was honored with distinction for writing the book, music, and lyrics for DORIAN GRAY as his thesis. The show, with new music co-written by Kevin Mucchetti, premiered Off-Broadway at the New York Musical Festival in 2017. DORIAN GRAY was honored with the Show-Score Best of Fest Audience Award. 

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Chris currently resides in Naples, FL, and teaches Theatre, Musical Theatre, Theatre Production Design & Marketing, and Film at Marco Island Academy, a public charter school on Marco Island. He continues to write in his spare time, and is currently working on musical version of a play he wrote at Villanova. Stay tuned!

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Chris was the July 7, 2010 Grand Finale Winner at the The American Idol Experience show at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

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