About

Beth Christensen is a versatile classical pianist, jazz pianist, collaborative pianist, and teacher who’s performed as a soloist in several competitions and recitals, including at the Utah Baroque Festival competition and as a selected performer in a Gina Bachauer masterclass with Karen Hakobyan. She performs with solo artists, as well as with string, wind, choral, and jazz ensembles, including the BYU Jazz Legacy Band, BYU Jazz Ensemble, and the BYU Group for New Music. She began weekly piano lessons with her mother as a 4 year old and became increasingly devoted to music from there. In high school, Beth started a piano studio, teaching students ages 7 to 16. By this point she was leaving home before light each day for time to practice and participate in as many ensembles and music classes as she could.

In her time at Brigham Young University, Beth worked on the Max Steiner Project, where she and her team members compiled, transcribed, and analyzed Steiner’s film music to better understand the impact of musical themes on film. She also worked as a TA for BYU’s Intro to Jazz course and as an accompanist for opera rehearsals and diction courses.

She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University, where she studied primarily with Dr. Stephen Beus, and studied jazz piano with Dr. Steve Lindeman and Dr. Steven Erickson. She has substantial experience with Finale Music Software, has exceptional ear training abilities, and enjoys music theory and composition. Beth is currently working towards a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from University of Missouri-Kansas City, studying with Dr. Karen Savage. She is still devoted to creating and experiencing beautiful music.

In her free time, she loves rock climbing, biking, swimming, and being in the mountains. She also enjoys being her dog’s accompanist, who is enamored by and passionately howls to Rachmaninoff’s preludes.