Christina Beasley

I began my current position in the School of Music in July 2025. I thrive on working with students, staff, and faculty – both one on one and in group settings. It is my lifetime goal to help and influence people in a positive way, and I have found no more satisfying way to do this than as a teacher/mentor/academic advisor. Helping others find their passion in life, and then helping them to pursue it, gives me great purpose and ultimate satisfaction. In addition – as many of you have come to know – I have a quirky sense of humor, and if I can make someone laugh or smile, it makes my day. Previous to my current position in the School of Music, I was an academic advisor in the UA School of Art (for 2.5 years), in the UA Department of Computer Science (for 1.5 years), and in the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television (for 17 years).

A little about my background:  I grew up in several places throughout the country (Tucson, upstate New York, Southern California), the daughter of a university music professor/administrator. I have moved around a bit as an adult as well (Michigan, Flagstaff, Texas), though I have been in Tucson since 2003 and have no plans to leave again. In addition to my UA position I am a professional classical musician.

I am currently Principal Viola with the Arizona Opera (since 2005), and am also a regular member of True Concord Voices & Orchestra (since its founding in 2004). Previous orchestral experience includes the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the San Antonio Symphony, the Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, and the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra. In addition, I have held summer positions with festivals in Aspen (CO), Flagstaff (AZ), Spoleto (Italy), and Sunriver (OR). An avid chamber musician, I have spent over 30 years performing in and coaching small chamber groups, including leading the Huron String Quartet in southern Michigan and coaching at the Chamber Music in the Mountains summer festival in the mountains above Tucson. In the late 1990s, I taught viola, violin, and chamber music at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

I earned my Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Eastman School of Music, where I studied with George Taylor. I then completed two Master of Music degrees (in viola performance and chamber music) from the University of Michigan as a student of Yizhak Schotten, and finally I earned my Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona in 2003.

In my spare time, I love spending time with my artist husband Eric (who also works here at UA), two kids (who are currently in high school and college), and two puppies (who are troublemakers, but cute).