Christina Condon enjoys having a multi-faceted career as teacher, soloist, free-lance musician, and clinician. She has gained inspiration from her primary teachers, Randy Bowman, Jill Felber, Diane Gilley, and Pamela Endsley and from masterclasses with notable performers such as James Galway, Marianne Gedigian, Jill Felber, Jan Gippo (piccolo), Ervin Monroe, and Bonita Boyd. Christina maintains a competitive flute and clarinet studio in Ohio, Florida, and via Skype/FaceTime with students around the world. Her students place at the top of their school ensembles, regional honor bands and youth orchestras, and receive national recognition. Christina's flute students have sat principal flute in the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Springfield Youth Symphony, and Middletown Youth Symphony, and also played flute/piccolo in the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (Washington D.C.) and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra’s flute sections. They have also won and placed in several national flute solo competitions such as with the Central Ohio Flute Associational and the National Flute Association, and have been accepted into music programs at schools such as the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Ohio State University. The success of her students has been noticed by music programs throughout the country and her students are frequently sought by the top teachers for masterclasses, workshops, and scholarship opportunities. The studio flute ensemble located in Centerville, Ohio is comprised of the most advanced flute students, and has been invited to perform at numerous regional events. In addition to her private studio, Christina enjoys performing solo recitals and also in musical theatre orchestras having performed on flute/clarinet/saxes for over 40 musical theatre orchestras. Christina has taught as adjunct faculty for the University of Dayton, and has assisted with the New Horizons Band and directed the NHB Flute Ensemble. In her free time, Christina enjoys her athletic outlet with inline speed skating and cycling with her husband Bill. She currently skates for Speed Revolution, a team of women skaters as role models to younger athletes that promotes women in sports, good sportsmanship, and academic excellence.
TEACHING STYLE
Music lessons are a partnership between student and teacher (also parents for younger students) whereby we work together for the student to reach his/her goals. The student and I set short- and long-term goals as well as a plan to achieve each goal. Regular, goal-oriented practice is a fundamental element of achieving goals. By teaching foundational skills and practice techniques, students will advance appropriately and gain the most from their studies. I have found that students are most motivated when they are learning steadily, which comes from effective instruction and efficient practice. Through music lessons, the student can learn many things about him-/herself such as setting goals and working toward them, organizational skills, time management, and more, all while enjoying music. In order for students to be successful, it takes hard work by both the teacher and the student. For younger students, I focus on the foundations and enjoyment of music through playing an instrument. Students learn to read music, play basic scale patterns, and learn familiar and unfamiliar tunes with regular parent performances. Younger students move through more advanced material as they are developmentally ready. I expect all students to come prepared with music, instrument in proper working condition, and a positive attitude! There is great music to discover!