Kristen Dawn Torres Soto

Born May 22nd 1989 to her late father Jerome Torres and mother Rawlyn Campas, she was also the daughter of Paul Campas whom he cared and loved as his own. Kristen attended Harding elementary, where she participated in Track and tether ball, and indoor soccer. She started playing the flute in the 3rd grade and continued playing through Compton Jr High. She graduated in the top five percent in her class from East Bakersfield High School where she accomplished so many awards including honor roll, Louis Armstrong award, outstanding band member awards receiving music scholarships such as the Thelma Rae music scholarship, as well as receiving citizenship awards. A certificate of merit from Honor Band all 4 years, leading to becoming drum major her senior year. She was chosen to be the first Latina drum major on the cover of MAS magazine, numerous awards for track, cross country, and basketball.

After high school graduation Kristen attended Bakersfield college and received her associates degree in Liberal Studies. She continued to CSUB receiving her degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. During her time at Bakersfield College and CSUB she participated in many jazz ensembles.

Kristen was a strong willed, stubborn fighter who never gave up. She was determined to get all things done, no matter what obstacles came her way. A perfect example, she would only schedule chemo therapy on Friday afternoons after work in order to recover as best as she could in order to return to work on Mondays at 7:30am sharp! She never skipped a beat, left no room for excuses, not even for cancer! Her commitment to her students was unmatched. Her students knew they could count on her as she always provided a safe space for them in her band room. She loved a good adrenaline rush, and was very competitive. She joined her mom and dad in many tandem bicycle rides, sky diving, motorcycle rides. Her pride and joy Linkin Bennington Cornell Soto was so loved, he joined her in all that she did, going to work daily, band practice, recitals, football games, competitions, and medical appointments. He is and will always be her ride or die. Kristen’s favorite was spaghetti & meat balls. You could not leave a bowl unattended around her, she would take it without question!

While working at Gottchalk’s she learned how to cook as she was enticed to learn various cooking recipes in order to promote cookware. She loved her job at GNC in the East Hills Mall. She took pride in all she did, she spent 2 years with the GNC company, she was a top seller in supplements for the district. She then joined the team at Target as a general manager, managing over the night shifts. She spent 5 years at Target while taking 19 units at CSUB each quarter in order to attain her bachelors as soon as possible. All while volunteering at various high schools as a marching tech to what then transitioned her into her passion, becoming a high school music band director. Kristen proudly worked as a band director as she taught a piano class, beginning band, advanced band and history of rock and roll for Golden Valley High school for 10 years. Kristen built the program with the support of her then Principal Paul Helman & Assistant Principal Geri Antoine. With the help of Paul Helman, she was able to acquire new band uniforms & a 26-foot trailer that is used to strategically carry all the band equipment needed. Kristen always participated in early morning / evening rehearsals & performances. She always made it goal to take her students on an out-of-town weekend competition as some students would have never experienced otherwise due to financial hardships. Kristen never wanted to miss an event regardless of her state of health. For example, some nights, she led the PEP band during football games directly after receiving chemo treatment. Thursday or Friday night football games weren’t the same if the pep band did not play. She never let cancer interfere with her purpose. Her goal was to finish the school year, she met that goal attending her last class on her birthday May 22nd, 2025.

A pivotal moment in her life, was meeting the love of her life by chance at Golden Valley High. Danny Soto was substituting at Golden Valley high school when he locked eyes on Kristen in the cafeteria. Danny went out of his way to ask around about Kristen when a staff member finally gave him a lead on where to find Kristen. After a brief encounter with Kristen in her band room he proceeded to hand Kristen a note that had his cellphone number written on it hoping she would be interested in getting to know each other more. Kristen was immediately floored with excitement and immediately mentioned the encounter with her mother Rawlyn. Danny and Kristen’s first date was at Barns & Noble and lasted 8 hours. They were immediately smitten with each other as the date was filled with excitement and joy. That very same day Kristen went home and told her Mother Rawlyn, “I’m gonna marry that man!” and in true Kristen fashion she followed through because 7 months later, they got married on April 26th 2023 in the band room, where they first met. Her family and friends were beyond thrilled for her to experience this kind of love, a love story to be told!

Kristen is survived by her Parents Rawlyn and Paul Campas, Son Linkin’, Husband Danny Soto, Sister Amber Velez & brother in law Danny Velez, Nephew Caden Robideaux, Niece Charlotte Torres, Father and Mother in-law Aureliano and Maria del Carmen Soto, sister in law Mary Lira, (Favorite Brother in law) Julio Soto and Aureliano Jr. Soto. She is also survived by her maternal Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins and numerous other family members. She is preceded in death by her Paternal Grandfather Manuel Torres, Father Jerome Torres, Cousin Kandace Pearson, Brother Ty Torres, Cousin Katrina Pearson. Maternal Great Aunt Barbara Valenzuela, Great Aunt Stephanie Sanchez.

Burial is Friday June 27th, 2025 at 9 AM. Located at Hillcrest Memorial Park

9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93306