Kristen is a Ph.D. candidate in the third year of the music education program at the University of Michigan. Her previous degrees include a BM in Violin Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and MM in Violin Performance (Chamber Music) from the University of Michigan. Kristen continued to study violin with the revered violinist, Camilla Wickes, as a fellowship student at LSU. She went on to perform with the Satory String Quartet, in residence at Kent State University, and then to be a founding member of the Chagall String Quartet.

In 1996, the Chagall received a two-year Rural Residence grant from Chamber Music America, the NEA, and the local communities of Johnstown, Indiana, and Somerset PA. The quartet rehearsed, performed, and went out into the community and schools to help make chamber music more accessible and relatable, believing that music and art are mediums that can bring all people together. During this time, Kristen toured both with the quartet and as a harp/violin duo with harpist, Min Kim. The Chagalls were coached by renowned members and former members of the Amadeus, Audubon, Cleveland, Julliard, Mendelssohn, Miami, Muir, and Tokyo String Quartets.

Kristen spent the next eight years as a full-time music educator; first teaching strings in the Fairfax County Public Schools and then Warwick, RI in 1999 as String Teacher and Orchestra Conductor at Toll Gate HS. Other professional responsibilities included chairing the All-Eastern Orchestra in Providence, RI, President of RISTA, member of RIMEA executive board, and board member of the Warwick Music Festival as well as being a clinician at RIMEA In-Service sessions.

Now beginning a research career, her areas of interest include music teacher identity, lives of teacher research, and professional development. Kristen has presented/is scheduled to present research at several conferences, including American Educational Research Association (AERA), American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE) and has several publications in review.

Since the summer of 1992, Kristen has been performing chamber music recitals in Rhode Island. The Chrysalis Piano Trio was formed and played its first concert in 1999. The trio has performed concerts in various venues around Rhode Island and continues to enjoy playing together and in mixed extended ensembles. Now, the Chrysalis Piano Trio can be heard on Music on the Hill’s chamber music series. In addition, Kristen has performed solo and chamber music recitals in the Ann Arbor area, including as a member of the Chelsea Chamber Players.

In July, Kristen will co-teach a week-long Music Education Summer Workshop with Professor Robert Culver titled “Chamber Music for an Orchestra Program” at the University of Michigan.

Kristen was born/raised in Warwick, RI and is a graduate of Toll Gate High School.