Testimonials

“Christine had such an outsized influence on my musical education and experience that it feels like I must have studied with her for far more than one year.”

I really loved taking lessons from Christine, and there are so many highlights from my time studying with her. Perhaps more than anything else, I appreciate the thought and creativity Christine put into selecting the pieces we worked on, which represented a really interesting range of music across the flute repertoire. I came to Christine expecting to focus on the standard all-region/all-state audition material (and she did help me to master those exercises!), but she introduced me to so many fun and exciting pieces that were far more engaging and that I still love years later. I took lessons from her during my senior year of high school and would have continued for many more years if circumstances allowed!

—Elise, Flute Student

First Band, First Chair—Arkansas All-State Band (2007)

Christine was always available and very flexible. She always encouraged me, yet challenged me to do better. I really enjoyed playing the flute and improving my skills. Christine taught me a trick to improve my breathing capacity that I still use, sometimes not even when I'm playing the flute! She also taught me more advanced skills like double and triple tonguing. Christine was so patient with me and so flexible. Some weeks I would come not having practiced at all, but she would pivot the lesson plan to work with me where I was. She never got upset if I didn't practice, but encouraged me to practice between lessons to get the most out of lessons!

“Christine helped in taking me from playing notes on a page to performing deep, moving music.”

My sight reading skills also greatly improved under her instruction. I credit lessons with Christine to achieving first chair my senior year, 1st band 1st chair at All Region, 1st band 4th chair at All State, and being invited to be part of two invitation-only bands.

—Julia F., Flute

Since childhood I’ve been enamored with the warmth of the flute sound.  However, I started flute study with Christine at my 60th birthday.  Music is a sanctuary for me.  Flute is a soul stirring emotional glue when I hear the cascade of sounds.  The challenge of the flute, its history, repertoire, being an active participant in the music world and obtaining a skillset one can never lose are a few of the reasons I studied.  Christine is a kind hearted, understanding and patient music educator.  She explains things clearly, puts the needs of the student first and “pushes” you to the next level with a smile and a reason.  Christine impresses concepts of the “how and why” and not just note playing.  I am grateful for the years she instructed me.

—Jeff N., Adult Flute Student

“I believe many of the concepts and exercises we worked on helped advance me to a higher level and prepared me for college as a Music Performance Major.”

One thing in particular that stuck with me was Christine’s approach to posture and breathing. As a flutist, we need to have a large lung capacity and her approach helped me to improve so that I had a high endurance not only for flute performances, but for piccolo as well.  As a flutist, I have always been praised as a performer for my unique tone and endurance and I believe Christine’s teachings specifically helped to shape my style, as well as my overall love for music and performing. Many of the things that I learned from her I have also used when teaching my own students. She also always gave me unique and fun pieces that challenged me and she taught me how knowledge of theory played a part in better understanding a piece.

—Caitlin (Smith) Bobel, Flute

First Place Solo Competition, Arkansas Tech University (2015)
Principal Flutist, Arkansas Tech University SWE (2011)
B.A. in Music (emphasis in flute performance), Arkansas Tech University
Adjunct flute teacher in junior high and high schools and private flute teacher