Christina Mixemong- viola & violin
"My students can expect a level of personalized instruction second to none. Teaching is my craft."
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching viola and violin is my passion in life. My focus is on the specific student in front of me. Each lesson includes details such as practice technique, music history, and music theory. More importantly, I pride myself on the connection I create with each student. Every student requires their own specific approach. Whether the student is super serious and capable of being pushed on a weekly basis or a less confident player needing personal touches I am committed to providing lessons to fulfill each student’s changing needs.
My studio is a nurturing space where every level is welcome. I can push a student to achieve great things in music, whether they believe it or not. We regularly chat about goals and dreams. I help craft a plan with them and create steps along the way to guide them to where they want to be.
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I also take pride in motivating students to WANT to practice better. I want to show them how to love the process of learning music. Sometimes we discuss the history of a piece or composer. I often give assignments outside of actually playing the instrument. Research is satisfying to some students, and I like to give them every opportunity to interact with music in their own way.
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My students can expect a level of personalized instruction second to none. Teaching is my craft.
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Biography
Christina Mixemong completed her doctoral coursework in viola performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa where she studied viola with Prof. Christine Rutledge and violin with Prof. Katherine Wolfe. Previously she has studied violin and viola with Jon and Lynne Rumney in Minot, North Dakota while a student at Minot State University. Christina has held positions with the Minot Symphony Orchestra, Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra, and the Western Plains Opera Company. She has been Principal Viola with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra since 2007 and Orchestra Librarian since 2020.
Christina was an Applied Music Associate in viola at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa from 2007-2012, where her duties included teaching viola and violin lessons to both music majors and non-majors. She also enjoys an active career as a freelance violinist and violist throughout eastern Iowa.
Christina is very dedicated to private studio teaching, and has over 25 years experience teaching students from ages 3-adult. She has had students in the Kennedy Honor Orchestra in Cedar Rapids, IMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra, and Iowa All State Orchestra. She offers group classes periodically, coaches chamber music ensembles, and her students regularly participate in studio recitals.