Christine Showalter, Violinist

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Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Read reviews that mention:

• play・4

• musician・4

• music・3

• talented・2

• song・1

• performer・1

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Leslie R.

Jan 31, 2022

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Christine exceeded our expectations. She was easy to reach, quick to respond and answered questions and made great suggestions re music selection for our family’s memorial service. Her playing was top-notch beautiful and professional.

Details: General event / party • 25 guests or fewer • 51 or older • 18 - 30 years old • Other strings • Other • Other

Music Entertainment

Jonetta J.

Dec 8, 2021

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I researched several musicians to hire for my brother's funeral, and Christine was able to accommodate my request at such a quick turnaround time and was very reasonable with pricing. Christine is talented and professional! I saw the reviews online, and they were all accurate. Christine's reviews do not capture how amazing she is; Christine was friendly, understanding, professional, and genuine. She was very responsive and showed up ahead of time of the service. Again her musical piece captured our emotions and pain. I wish I had a recording of it, but I appreciate her so much and thank her for being a part of such a life-changing day.

Details: General event / party • 25 guests or fewer • 31 - 50 years old • 18 - 30 years old • 51 or older • Band • Vocals • Piano • Other strings • Other • Banquet hall / ballroom

Music Entertainment

Keyden S.

3 weeks ago

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I am going to begin lesions with Christine after finding her on thumbtack. I had an trial lesson with her and she is very professional and knowledgeable!

Details: 18 - 25 years old • No formal training • Yes, the student can read music • Classical violin • Classical • Yes, the student has a violin • 60 minutes • At the pro’s location

Violin Lessons

Nataly M.

May 23, 2022

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I would highly recommend Christine if you are looking for a violin teacher . She is not only a very talented musician, but an exceptional teacher. My daughter is a beginner violin student at 5 years old and Christine is able to create lessons that not only hold her interest but has her begging for longer and more frequent lessons. Christine took input from my daughter about what she was interested in and tailored her lessons to meet my daughters needs. We feel very lucky to have her as a teacher and highly recommend her.

Details: Younger than 6 years old • No formal training • No, the student cannot read music • What the teacher recommends • What the teacher recommends • No, but the student is planning to purchase a violin and would like the teacher's advice on it • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Violin Lessons

Kim S.

Dec 8, 2021

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Recently switched to Christine from a Suzuki-dedicated teacher and am pleased so far. She listens to what I want to accomplish and lets me head that direction. She has also answered my many questions with patience.

Details: 45 - 64 years old • 0 - 2 yrs of formal training • Yes, the student can read music • Classical violin • Classical • Yes, the student has a violin • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Christine Showalter, Violinist's reply

Thanks for the review, Kim! I'm impressed by your hard work and quick progress so far, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with you :)

Violin Lessons

FAQs

• What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

  I'm always happy to hear from prospective students! I offer a free trial lesson so you can try it out with no pressure to continue. I know it can feel vulnerable to meet a new teacher and/or to start learning a new skill, but I’m on your team and here to serve you! I want to hear about your goals and learning style so I can cater to your unique needs and desires as a student.

• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

  I hold dual masters degrees in violin performance and chamber music from the University of Michigan where I studied with Danielle Belen, winner of the 2008 Sphinx Competition and former teaching assistant to Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School. I earned my bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Oberlin Conservatory with David Bowlin, winner of the 2003 Washington International Competition and founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble. In addition to teaching private violin lessons since I was in high school, I have experience working with elementary students as a Sphinx Overture teacher in Flint, MI, and with high schoolers and young adults as a faculty member of SA’OAXACA International Music Festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. Not only have I witnessed great teaching up close as I’ve had the privilege to study with the most incredible violin teachers, but I’ve also gained so much teaching wisdom over my entire life from my mom, who is an absolute superstar elementary school teacher. As a performer, I was a prizewinner in the 2020 William C. Byrd Competition and I received numerous honors while a student at Oberlin and the University of Michigan. I’m most frequently complimented for my sound, vibrato, and bow arm. After performances, I’ve been told by accomplished musicians: “You made magic,” “You’re a rockstar,” and “You have one of the most beautiful vibratos I’ve ever heard.” Over the years, I’ve taken a plethora of classes in Alexander Technique, yoga, and general wellness classes for musicians. Additionally, I took Beyond Practicing, an online course taught by Juilliard alum and professor Noa Kageyama, which covers topics ranging from how to practice more effectively to tackling performance anxiety. I’m on a quest to keep finding ways to incorporate what I’ve learned into my teaching to help my students practice and perform with more ease, efficiency, and joy, which will in turn reduce the risk of injury in addition to making it all more enjoyable! And if we enjoy our time with our violins, we will naturally want to practice more 💪

• What types of customers have you worked with?

  I've taught students ranging from young elementary students just starting off to serious and driven high school and college students working at a high level on repertoire such as Tchaikovsky's violin concerto. I've also worked with adults looking to learn something new or refresh old skills. I've loved teaching all of them!