A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, pianist Christina Withers began her music studies at the age of six. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy in 2008, where she held an assistantship as an instructor of applied piano and group piano courses.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she also took courses in Interior Design and Elementary Education. She has received awards including the MTNA Student Achievement Recognition Award in 2006, as well as the Gail Boyd de Stwolinski Award in 2008.  In 2005, Ms. Withers participated in the Fine Arts Study Abroad Program in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she studied with various piano faculty members of the Hertzen Pedagogical University.  Her principal teachers include Sean Botkin, Dr. Jeongwon Ham, Dr. Jane Magrath and Dr. Barbara Fast. Most recently, Ms. Withers was Staff Accompanist and Musical Director for various Musical Theatre groups at the Sooner Theatre in Norman, Oklahoma, and performed in the their local production of Always…Patsy Cline.  She is an active teacher, collaborative pianist and performer.

Ms. Withers believes that it is important to cater each lesson to the individual strengths, weaknesses and innate abilities of each student.  She is committed to develop well-rounded musicians with healthy technique and positive practice habits, allowing for creative expression to be facilitated with ease.  She loves to explore different areas of piano with students, especially improvisation, chord charts, and transposition. 

“My goal is to teach students how to become independent learners so that they can become their own teachers in weekly practice at home.  My greatest joy as a teacher is to watch a student play with beautiful expression, connect with their instrument, and develop a life-long love for music.”