CHRISTINE KYHN, Principal Accompanist, began her formal study of music at the age of five in the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance from California State University East Bay with a double major in both Organ and Piano performance and included additional work in Voice and Choir Studies. She pursued further education post graduation earning
her Teaching Certification in Classroom Music and also completing the three levels of Orff Schulwerk, an approach to teaching music incorporating music, language, and movement, initially developed by the German composer Carl Orff. She earned the Colleague certificate with the American Guild of Organists (CAGO). She has developed and directed community and church adult and children’s choir programs in Oregon, California, Colorado, and Arizona. She taught for nine years at Rosie’s House Music Academy in Phoenix, serving as Department Head of the vocal program. While at Rosie’s House, she grew the program from two small ensembles to a fully graded choir program encompassing five choirs and vocal labs, serving over 180 students from Kindergarten through High School. She spent 20 years teaching General Classroom Music before retiring to work as a performing musician. In addition to her work with the West Valley Chorale, Christine is accompanist for the Glendale Community College Vocal Music Program (under the direction of Dr. Nina
Garguilo) and for the choir program at Glendale Prep, a Great Hearts Academy (under the direction of Dr. Thomas Bookhout). She is often called to serve as organist or pianist in churches all across the Valley. She is a Distinguished Member Friend of the Arts of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. Christine lives in Glendale, AZ with her husband, Peter Kyhn, also an accomplished musician.
They have three grown children who are active in the arts, and five wonderful grandchildren.