Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Christensen.
Hi Beth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a very musical family, a lot of Sunday night singing and pulling out instruments to play, and a lot of music playing in the house from Rachmaninoff piano concertos to Pink Floyd. My mom taught me and my siblings piano but I was the only one of us that really wanted to dig in farther. When I was 13, after learning from her almost ten years, we found a professional piano teacher and things took off from there!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s always been hard to balance my time between so many musical (and non-musical) interests. Between being in high school band and jazz band and choirs, theatre and musicals, and outside performing opportunities as a solo pianist, it was tricky to find time for practicing (let alone homework when I was a high school student). Then in college and grad school it got even trickier with more intensive expectations and trying to make money too, But what started as a challenge has become one of my greatest joys as a musician.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Ever since high school, I’ve had a lot of interest in a whole bunch of styles of music: jazz, rock, New Music, chamber music, improvisation, and multi-disciplinary performance. I’m really proud of my versatility as a performer. Especially as genres of music are increasingly blurring their lines, I’m finding some really exciting pockets of the music world to belong in!
I also believe in the power of music to create community. I love how music, and especially live music performance, connects every person in a room together, no matter their background or personality or reason for being there, as they process the same story all at once. Physically and emotionally, music brings people together and opens the door for empathy and understanding.
I saw that especially in my time as a student resident artist at Claridge Court (a senior community in Prairie Village). The other residents and I are decades apart in age, but have so much in common, especially with the important stuff- values and interests and hopes. Getting to regularly perform for people that soon became my close friends was one of the best experiences of my life. I still love going over there, sometimes to perform, but usually just to chat over puzzles or a meal. 🙂
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
These two books have been hugely inspirational to me as a human and musician:
Rough Ideas: Reflections on Music and More, by Stephen Hough
Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, by Madeleine L’Engle
And this is my favorite book ever (hugely inspirational and enjoyable as a human):
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune
Pricing:
- Lessons (30-, 45-, or 60- min) are $50/hr. Contact for discounted rates available
- Accompanying: $45/hr for rehearsals, recording sessions, or short performances. Contact for full recital rates.
- Event playing starts at $120 for an hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bethchristensenmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth.christensen.music?igsh=MW84ejNuNDF5a2w1Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbDHVlmL3-UsGqDtK9BD15A
