Here are some testimonials I have received from past students and parents. I wish to thank them all for their generosity in allowing me to repost their comments from TeachStreet’s site.
Christine has been my daughter’s violin teacher for 5.5. years. She is passionate about teaching and her enthusiasm and encouragement inspires her students to do their best. Many of her students successfully audition for the MCNW Honor’s Recital each year. She has encouraged Audrey to participate in challenging music camps and the youth symphony, which she does. One can attest to her teaching skills by listening to her students in a recital. You will see joyful playing and nary a squeaky string,
Christine is an excellent teacher for the beginning student, as well as the advanced student,
What will we do without you, Christine?
Seattle’s loss is Brisbane’s gain.
Lorraine
My seven year old daughter, Mia, had the privilege of Christine’s well balanced mix of technical discipline, creative fun and an infusion of passion for music. Christine is very engaging and able to introduce new ideas and techniques in ways that she knows will challenge Mia, but never overwhelm her. I think that Mia’s measure of success can be found in her enjoyment in playing the violin and in her excitement to learn more. I am lamenting that we had only a year with Christine, but I am also feeling quite fortunate to have had her for Mia’s first year! What a stellar foundation!
Lisa Ye
My step-daughter began taking violin from Christine just after she turned five. I can’t say enough good things about what it has done for her education. Christine is a fun teacher and she’s incredibly productive. Our daughter can be a handful with her endless questions and boisterous energy, but Christine knows exactly how to engage her in lessons. Most of the time, she doesn’t even know she’s learning, she just thinks she’s playing games. There have been times when we’ve hit a rough spot, but Christine doesn’t let up. She encourages and teaches in different ways until something clicks. This has taught our child the invaluable lesson that hard work and practice pays off.
Sarah Davies
Christine has taught my daughter for the last 5 years. She is one of those rare teachers that is about so much more than the notes and music. She has taught my daughter the importance of passion and fun in music, and most important has always emphasized the importance of using her gifts to help the broader community. My daughter has played for nursing homes, community events, and school events, and in small orchestra groups. Thanks to Christine, she understands music is a gift to be shared. – Terry
My daughter started taking violin lessons from Christine when she was 4, and she just turned 8 today! We hope Christine will be our teacher for many years to come. She’s an excellent music teacher. Through her, my daughter is learning the importance of balancing discipline with fun. I love watching my daughter take pride in being able to play an instrument and improve with practice. We both love Christine and would recommend her to anyone.
Tracy Patton
Christine Dunaway has the uncanny ability to teach the right thing at the right time. She always seems to know when my daughter Sophie is ready to move on to the next challenge. This has kept Sophie engaged in the learning process from day 1. She loves playing!
August Denhard, Executive Director of the Early Music Guild
Christine Dunaway has been my son Paul’s teacher since he started playing the violin three months ago. In this time, we have gotten a taste for the joys and challenges of learning an instrument, and I am continually impressed with Christine’s mastery of motivating and instructing children. She has a tangible love for the violin, and it is a contagious enthusiasm: Paul loves his lessons and this spills over into his home practices. I had previously regarded my preschooler as a very little child, unready for focused activity, and so I am surprised and pleased at the level of concentration that Christine has brought out in him. Christine turns skill development into games and is generous with her energy and praise. We are enjoying Paul’s musical journey, and we only wish that it could continue under Christine’s tutelage!
Colette (mother of Paul, age 5)
Christine taught my daughter for 4 years. Her enthusiasm for music and especially the violin gave my daughter a renewed passion for playing. Christine’s teaching style is very unique. She uses word pictures to help students improve technique. For my daughter, this was very effective. Her playing improved quite remarkably while under Christine’s guidance. Christine not only taught the fundamentals of music, she also taught techniques of playing the violin to reduce fatigue and repetitive motion injury. She made learning fun. I would definitely recommend Christine Dunaway without hesitation.
Jill Stefanin
I am a fellow violin teacher, and Christine has given master classes to my students. It has been very well received and has given them a new perspective and excitement for the violin. Christine has creative ideas, and is very focused on helping them fix one technical problem at a time. Her methodical, fun approach has motivated my students greatly!
Tanja