Christine Bastian

Christine Bastian, viola, enjoys making classical music relevant to audiences through her work as a performer, educator, and administrator.  Christine has served as associate principal violist with the Flint Symphony, section violist with the Lansing Symphony, and substitute viola with the Grand Rapids, Toledo, and Detroit Symphony. As a member of the ConTempus Initiative, a Michigan-based contemporary music collective, she has released two CDs and been featured as a guest artist with organizations such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, SUNY Potsdam, Michigan State University, Spring Arbor University, Albion College, Flint Institute of Music, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. In addition to her work as a violist, Christine developed Running Start, the music entrepreneurship program at Michigan State University, teaching courses on career development and financial management, directing several chamber series, and creating outreach and engagement initiatives for MSU students in the Greater Lansing community. She currently freelances in the Seattle area with groups including the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Lake Washington Symphony, and the Arbor Trio. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Viola Performance and a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Indiana University.