Christina Beasley

BM, Eastman School of Music; MM, MM, University of Michigan; DMA, University of Arizona

I began my current position, which includes duties in undergraduate advising and administration in the School of Music, in July 2025. 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 satisfaction. Prior to July 2025, 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).

As the daughter of a university music professor/administrator, I grew up in several places throughout the country (Tucson, upstate New York, Southern California). 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 have BM, MM, and DMA degrees in viola performance, and an additional MM degree in chamber music. I am currently Principal Viola with the Arizona Opera (since 2005), and a regular sub with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. My previous orchestral experience includes 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 music festivals in Aspen (CO), Flagstaff (AZ), Spoleto (Italy), and Sunriver (OR). An avid chamber musician, I have spent over 40 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 Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. In the late 1990s, I taught viola, violin, and chamber music at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my artist husband Eric (who also works here at UA), two kids (one in high school, one in college), and two puppies.