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April 28, 2012

Educator Bio – Christian Howes

A suzuki-trained violinist from Columbus, Ohio, Christian Howes grew up winning classical competitions and went on to pursue jazz, rock, fiddle styles, blues and world music, distinguishing himself as one of the premier improvising violinists in the world. He was voted first place in the 2011 Downbeat Critics Poll (“Rising Star/Violin”) and nominated by the Jazz Journalists Association for “Violinist of the Year.”

Christian founded his own online learning site, The Creative Strings Academy, to provide curriculum for teachers to offer improvisation, harmony, and eclectic styles in the classroom.

strings guestApril 07, 20139 copyChristian served for three years as an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music after founding his own annual Creative Strings Workshop and Festival in 2003. The annual week-long conference provides teen and adult string players an opportunity to experience a rigorous schedule of public performances, jams, rehearsals, and clinics, all with a focus on improvisational music.

Christian collaborates with string teachers around the world, with the generous sponsorship of Yamaha and D’Addario, to provide workshops and guest performances for K-12 string programs, college, and private studios.

Christian has been invited to present or teach at The New School, Oberlin College, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of New Mexico, University of Southern California, University of Arizona, University of Michigan, Ohio State University, IAJE, ASTA, NAMM, IMEA, OMEA, KASTA, FMEA, AASTA, the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, the Berklee String Fling, Jazz Connections, and hundreds of high schools, middle schools, and private studios throughout the U.S. He has also taught in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, and China.

Past Residency

Clinician for private studios and Suzuki Schools

Howes graduated from the Suzuki method as a child and has supplemented his own daughter’s Suzuki training since the age of three. He regularly teaches classes in improvisation for Suzuki music students age 3 to 15.

Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series

In 2000 and 2001, Christian performed several concerts in NYC at schools, libraries, and day care centers with Akua Dixon’s Quartette Indigo, in affiliation with Carnegie Hall. He has also collaborated with Lincoln Center’s school programs in conjunction with David Gonzalez during 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Classes is Spain

Since February 2001, Christian has worked in tandem with conservatories, camps and teaching studios in Spain to help introduce improvisation to violin, viola, and cello students. He regularly presents workshops in Madrid and Barcelona.

Christian regularly visits high school and middle schools across the U.S. to work with orchestras and string programs. His visits include clinics and performances as guest soloist.

Public School Residencies

In 2010 Christian worked with the Mason School district – the largest string program in the state of Ohio, introducing over 700 string students from grades 6-12 to improvisation, alternative styles, and composition.

From 2007 – 2010, Howes worked with more than 20 school music programs annually in the Columbus, OH, public schools in conjunction with the Jefferson Academy of Music.

Here is a partial list of other public school programs/districts Christian has been a guest performer and/or artist in residence with:

Lexington, KY

Albany, NY

West Genessee (Syracuse), NY

Perrysburg, OH

Columbus, OH

Tucson, AZ

Sycamore, OH

Augusta, ME

Minneapolis, MN

Cincinnati, OH

Palm Springs, CA

Chicago, IL

Napierville, IL

Madison, WI

Norwalk, CT

Stevens Point, WI

Seattle, WA

Indianapolis, IN

Miami University (OH)

Delaware, OH

New Albany, OH

Des Moines, IA

Nashville, TN

University of Michigan

Potsdam, NY

Williamsport, NY

Long Island, NY

Durham, NC

Milwaukee/Wauwatosa, WI

Kansas City, MO

Iowa City, IA

Testimonials

[testimonial company=”The Chigago Reader” image=”https://christianhowes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/allaobutjazz.jpg” height=”100″]“Not since Jean-Luc Ponty has a violinist ranged from pure classical to fuzz tone rock to convincing jazz with such authority.” [/testimonial]

[testimonial company=”All About Jazz” image=”https://christianhowes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/reader.jpg”]“As a jazz violinist he has no peer.” [/testimonial]

[testimonial company=”The Minneapolis Tribune” image=”https://christianhowes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tribune.jpg”]“…Arguably the most intriguing young violinist in jazz.”[/testimonial]