Piano and Collaborative Piano: all ages, beginner through advanced

Christine has been passionate about music from a young age. She has actively taught private and collaborative piano lessons for over 8 years and enjoys an active career as a church musical director, solo artist and substitute pianist in the D.C. Metro area and Richmond area. Over the years, she has performed in Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, and Estonia with a wide range of vocalists and instrumentalists in both solo and collaborative recitals. As a participant of the Alion Baltic International Music Festival, the Brevard Summer Music Institute, selected masterclasses, and MTNA conferences, Christine has explored and experienced exceptionally vast musical styles and pedagogical approaches. She believes that keeping up to date on the most recent methodologies and philosophies is critical to an integrative and well-rounded approach to teaching and musical comprehension.

Christine’s teaching style is fluid and she curates individualized lesson plans tailored to the student’s ability and engagement level. She places an emphasis on the intricate nature of musical study through the historic, physical and mental aspects of musical understanding. Throughout her undergraduate career, Christine engaged in musical research and found a passion for writing musical reviews. She enjoys researching musical history, and was a presenter at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Piano Pedagogy Symposium in Florida in January 2017. She has researched and presented both lecture recitals and poster presentations on Romantic and 20th Century composers, and has gained extensive knowledge of musical history and literature throughout her time as an active musician.

Christine’s passion for leadership and connecting others through music flourished during her time as president of the MTNA at Virginia Commonwealth University(VCU) for 2 years. Musical education teaches persistence, determination, and endurance. She engages and implores audiences to think deeper into the language of music, and wishes to enhance the field of musical education through scholarly engagement, fun activities, and structured study.

Christine is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she obtained a BM in piano performance and a minor in psychology. Throughout her time at VCU she established multiple musical community outreach programs with local churches, hospitals and retirement homes. She later received the Outstanding Service to the Department award from VCU Music for her efforts in building the musical community.