Jo-Ann Christen, a Seattle, Washington resident for over forty years, is currently performing as a soloist and with several Brass Bands on the West coast. Recently she performed the Rimsky Korsakov Concert for Trombone with the Rain City Symphony and was honored with the Beacon Award for excellence in performance and teaching from the International Women’s Brass Conference, both in June of 2014. Jo-Ann performs on a Conn 88 H Tenor Trombone and a 62H Elkhart Conn Bass Trombone. She holds a Masters of Music Performance degree from Manhattan School of Music, NYC, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Montclair State University, New Jersey. Jo-Ann has enjoyed decades of private teaching and has placed students in every major school and conservatory in the United States. She is currently preparing a method book which consolidates her proven teaching ideas.
Jo-Ann’s professional performance experience includes the New Jersey Symphony and Opera orchestras, the Festival Brass Quintet in a Carnegie Recital Hall performance, Seattle Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, many touring orchestras, an on-stage Broadway production of “Cabaret” at the Imperial Theater, NYC, and extensive freelance playing both in the NYC and Seattle area. Jo-Ann is also an experienced conductor, developing her craft for over forty years, with vocal and instrumental ensembles. She is founding Director/Conductor of Midsummer Musical Retreat, a music camp for adults, as well as Rain City Women’s Chorus (currently active) and Seattle Civic Band (Conductor Emeritus). She also conducted the Boeing Employees Concert Band for thirteen years. Jo-Ann has been a presenter at the New York Brass Conference, covering practice habits, embouchure problems, and musical interpretation. She is a Sigma Alfa Iota alumna. Jo-Ann finds her Conn Trombones the finest instruments she has ever played, responsive, with beautiful sound and projection. She says: “Choosing a Conn Trombone is always the best choice of instruments for professionals and students alike. They are outstanding horns and unmatched in quality, yesterday and today.”