SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA, January 29, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Cassandra Tarantino with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Tarantino celebrates many years' experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Tarantino has dedicated more than three decades to the advancement of choral and instrumental music, shaping the cultural landscape of California's Central Coast and beyond. As the founder and director of the Cuesta Concord Chorus since 2005, she has cultivated a vibrant community ensemble. Under her leadership, the chorus has become a cornerstone for musical engagement, welcoming singers from diverse backgrounds and fostering a sense of belonging through shared artistry. Ms. Tarantino's approach is rooted in the belief that music thrives in community. Every one of her concerts concludes with a tradition that envelops alumni and newcomers in warmth, using the cherished piece by René Clausen, "Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart," to symbolize unity and welcome.

In addition to her work with Cuesta Concord Chorus, Ms. Tarantino has taught courses in vocal pedagogy, music theory and history at Cuesta College's San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles campuses since 2005. Moreover, Ms. Tarantino continues to offer private lessons in voice and flute and runs programs that integrate community members into musical activities. Ms. Tarantino was also the Director of Music at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in San Luis Obispo, California, from 2017-2025, where she integrated her expertise in church music to enhance worship services and community outreach.

Ms. Tarantino's vision for the chorus extends far beyond local performances. In 2011, she led her first international tour to Ireland and Northern Ireland, providing transformative experiences for participants, many of whom had never traveled outside their home state. Inspired by their enthusiasm for history and culture, she later organized trips to the East Coast to deepen their understanding of American heritage. Subsequent tours have included Germany, Austria, England, France, Italy, and Sicily.

Ms. Tarantino's earlier career included significant milestones, such as co-founding and serving as the Chorus Master for Central Coast Gilbert & Sullivan from 2013 to 2018, guest conducting for the Atascadero Community Band between 2014 and 2015, leading the Central Coast Children's Chorus from 2010 to 2015, and acting as the Chorus Master for Opera San Luis Obispo between 2013 and 2014. Earlier roles included consulting for instrumental music within the Santa Barbara School District in Santa Barbara, California, from 2004 to 2006, conducting and teaching music theory for Santa Barbara Children's Chorus between 2002 and 2006, serving as a substitute choir conductor and solo flutist at Trinity Episcopal Church from 2002 to 2004, and, among other roles, consulting for Isla Vista School of Music, dating back to 1998. Ms. Tarantino's performance history has included appearances at music festivals in Aspen, CO, Keene, NH, Morges, Switzerland, and Aberystwyth, Wales.

She has notably initiated collaborations with veterans' homes across California, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, offering free performances that honored returning soldiers and veterans. These efforts have continued through annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies in Paso Robles and moving tributes at sites such as Normandy and the American Cemetery in Florence. Ms. Tarantino's dedication was recognized with the Alpha Bravo Zulu Award, a rare civilian honor.

Highly educated, Ms. Tarantino's academic background is distinguished by dual Bachelor's Degrees in Church Music and English Literature from Westmont College in 1993, a Master of Music in Performance Flute from California State University, Northridge, in 1997, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from San Jose State University in 2018. She also took a sabbatical during which she focused on music studies in Northern Ireland. Outside of music, Ms. Tarantino holds a level three sommelier certification.

Ms. Tarantino's influence extends into professional organizations as well. Most notably, she served on the board of the Music Association of California Community Colleges from 2009 to 2019 and was a founding member of Friends of Cuesta College CPAC between 2011 and 2016. Meanwhile, Ms. Tarantino's civic involvement includes serving as a volunteer board member for the Cuseta College Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center.

Throughout her career, Ms. Tarantino has created original music programs, including three elementary school initiatives in Santa Barbara that continue after three decades, and founded Cuesta Concord Chorus with little resources. Her leadership secured a $275,000 estate donation from a devoted choir member. This gift established an endowment that generated $50,000 annually for musical philanthropy, supporting school programs and launching ambitious projects like "Voices Unite," a non-competitive choral festival, prioritizing beauty over awards.

The highlight of Ms. Tarantino's career came when she produced and conducted Carmina Burana, a massive collaboration featuring a 65-piece orchestra, 200-voice choir, a children's choir, three soloists and participation by ensembles such as the National Choir of Puerto Rico and the Denver Trinity Choir. The event filled all 1,200 seats at the California Polytechnic University Performing Arts Center with overflow accommodations added.

Ms. Tarantino attributes her success to resourcefulness, fearlessness in connecting with others, an unshakable belief in joy's transformative power and support from mentors throughout her life. She continues to draw fulfillment in connecting others through music, acting as a conduit between performers and audience while guiding ambitious repertoire.

Ms. Tarantino envisions taking a sabbatical across Europe and filming immersive lectures on location in historic churches and theaters tied to great composers for students, many of whom are first-generation Americans seeking global cultural connections. She also aims to curate a concert series that fuses music, food and wine into themed evenings celebrating world cultures through sensory storytelling. Ms. Tarantino continues to inspire through fearless leadership, creative vision, unwavering dedication and an enduring belief that authentic connection through music can transform lives, communities and futures alike.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #