Christina Steffen enjoys a widely diverse music career as a musician, teacher, conductor, and chamber music coach. She has performed in many areas of the U.S. and Europe and at many music festivals. Ms. Steffen gave the southwest premiere performance of the Bohmler Sonata Celebre and was the soloist for the world premiere of Freedman’s “On the Other World” for alto flute and flute choir at the National Flute Association Convention. “… Her technique is flawless, as are the sounds she creates with her instruments. Of even greater value is her ability to interpret any style of music with authority and authenticity” (Bob Freedman, Grammy Award-winning composer and arranger). Christina’s unique artistry melds pure classical and orchestral training with a jazz sensibility shaped by years of playing in Big Bands. This combined with a passion for the musics of the world has fashioned a uniquely versatile musician. She has played with The Phoenix Symphony, many ad hoc orchestras, local orchestras for the national Broadway tours including “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Aladdin,” and has played for an extensive list of international entertainers.
Her other musical forays include regional and national commercial recordings, playing for many other performer’s CDs, and releasing the album, “Paradisa!” featuring flute, piano, and cello. World-renowned flute soloist Viviana Guzman states, “Christina Steffen is a powerhouse flutist…she has a rich warm sound and exquisite technique…” Ms. Steffen presents flute clinics and master classes and has taught at several camps including the NAU Curry Summer Music Camp, Music in the Bradshaws, the MCC Music Camp, and the Arizona Flute Society Flute Camp. Her captivating presentation of “Flutes and Flute Music Around the World” is always enthusiastically received as is her master class focusing on practice techniques.
She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in flute performance from the University of Arizona School of Music. She teaches flute at Mesa Community College and also maintains a private studio in Phoenix with students who have won local and national competitions. Christina is the founder and Music Director of Arizona’s premiere flute ensemble organization, Desert Echoes Flute Project (www.defproject.org) sponsored by the MCC Music Department. The exciting, nationally known flute choir features flutists from the Phoenix Metropolitan area playing flutes, piccolos, Eb soprano flutes, alto flutes, bass flutes, and the unusual nine-foot long contrabass flute. Most recently, she started the increasingly popular Community Flute Choir at MCC, which is open to flutists of high school age and older, the All-State Flute Choir, the MCC Summer Flute Project, a week-long performance and educational program for adult and high school flutists, and the AZ FluteFest at MCC.
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