About
Beth Christensen is a versatile classical pianist, jazz pianist, collaborative pianist, and teacher, who is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano Performance at UMKC Conservatory, studying with Dr. Karen Savage, and an M.A. in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, with Dr. Chris Madden. She is the first recipient of Richard L. Williams Memorial Scholarship in Collaborative Piano. She has performed in national and international festivals, competitions, and recitals, including at Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, Utah Baroque Festival competition, and the Gina Bachauer Festival Masterclass with Karen Hakobyan. She enjoys performing with solo artists, as well as with string, wind, choral, and jazz ensembles, including UMKC Conservatory Wind Symphony at Kauffman Center, BYU Jazz Legacy Band, UMKC Soprano Alto Choir, and various New Music chamber groups, including her all female group, Full Gremlin Quartet, which seeks to promote music by underrepresented composers.
Beth Christensen is a versatile classical pianist, jazz pianist, collaborative pianist, and teacher, who is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano Performance at UMKC Conservatory, studying with Dr. Karen Savage, and an M.A. in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, with Dr. Chris Madden. She is the first recipient of Richard L. Williams Memorial Scholarship in Collaborative Piano. She has performed in national and international festivals, competitions, and recitals, including at Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, Utah Baroque Festival competition, and the Gina Bachauer Festival Masterclass with Karen Hakobyan. She enjoys performing with solo artists, as well as with string, wind, choral, and jazz ensembles, including UMKC Conservatory Wind Symphony at Kauffman Center, BYU Jazz Legacy Band, UMKC Soprano Alto Choir, and various New Music chamber groups, including her all female group, Full Gremlin Quartet, which seeks to promote music by underrepresented composers.
She was taught weekly piano lessons by her mother as a 4 year old and became increasingly devoted to music. In high school, Beth began her formal classical training, started a piano studio, teaching students ages 7 to 16, and participated in as many ensembles and music classes as she could.
She was taught weekly piano lessons by her mother as a 4 year old and became increasingly devoted to music. In high school, Beth began her formal classical training, started a piano studio, teaching students ages 7 to 16, and participated in as many ensembles and music classes as she could.
Beth earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University, where she studied primarily with Dr. Stephen Beus, and studied jazz piano with Dr. Steve Lindeman and Dr. Steven Erickson. In her time at Brigham Young University, Beth worked as an RA on the Max Steiner Project, compiling, transcribing, and analyzing Steiner’s film music to better understand the impact of musical themes on film. She has substantial experience with Finale Music Software, has exceptional ear training abilities, and enjoys music theory and composition. She also worked as a TA for BYU’s Intro to Jazz course and as an accompanist for opera rehearsals and diction courses.
Beth earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University, where she studied primarily with Dr. Stephen Beus, and studied jazz piano with Dr. Steve Lindeman and Dr. Steven Erickson. In her time at Brigham Young University, Beth worked as an RA on the Max Steiner Project, compiling, transcribing, and analyzing Steiner’s film music to better understand the impact of musical themes on film. She has substantial experience with Finale Music Software, has exceptional ear training abilities, and enjoys music theory and composition. She also worked as a TA for BYU’s Intro to Jazz course and as an accompanist for opera rehearsals and diction courses.
In her free time, she loves rock climbing, biking, swimming, and being in the mountains. She also enjoys being her dog’s accompanist, who is enamored by and passionately howls to Rachmaninoff’s preludes. She is still devoted to creating and experiencing beautiful music.
In her free time, she loves rock climbing, biking, swimming, and being in the mountains. She also enjoys being her dog’s accompanist, who is enamored by and passionately howls to Rachmaninoff’s preludes. She is still devoted to creating and experiencing beautiful music.
