Christopher Karpus has had a life-long love of music.  He began playing the piano at age 9, and trumpet at 14. His talent for piano led him to the University of Illinois School of Music, where he studied piano pedagogy until transferring to the School of Architecture.  After completing his Master of Architecture from Clemson University in 1995, Chris continued to explore his musical gifting through songwriting, piano, and guitar as he pursued his architectural career over the next decades. Chris' classical influences include Chopin, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Berlioz and, Tchaikovsky, His style has also been influenced by the works of a multitude of artists from Hans Zimmer to Pink Floyd to U2.   In 2017, he began composing “The Creation Symphony”, an eight part symphonic piece consisting of an overture and seven movements, each representing a day of the Creation account. The symphony was completed two years later with the formation of a small choir of friends who lent their amazing voices to the grand finale of "Day 7". From there, he has been composing works for various types of ensembles. Recent notable works have included a somber, reflective composition examining the human loss from the Covid pandemic, orchestral versions of Psalm 13 and Psalm 57, and a string quartet.

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Chris lives in Summerville, SC and is the founder/owner of Karpus Design.  He and his wife, Amy have three grown children of whom they are very proud. In 2013, Chris and Amy founded 141 Impact, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the poor, orphans, widows, and the disabled.  Focused on serving vulnerable children in Uganda, 141 serves to help people recognize their individual gifts, talents, and resources, and then utilize those to serve others. 

 

Chris' faith is the driving force behind his music. In 2020, he and his family were the grateful recipients of a miracle. Chris suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home, and despite being down 48 minutes without a heartbeat and being declared brain dead, he was miraculously healed and fully restored. This experience has taught Chris and his family the immense value of every breath and every heartbeat. 

 

In his free time, Chris loves to spend time with his family, hike, woodwork and create masterpieces on the smoker.