About:

Christine Bastian is Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategic Initiatives at the College of Music. In her position, she directs and coordinates operations for the College of Music, including providing leadership and oversight of piano technology, recording services, computer support, event/concert production management, facilities, the Main Office, and career education initiatives. As director of career education initiatives, including the Running Start program, she oversees entrepreneurship programs, student ventures, student wellness, and student success initiatives. She serves as faculty for several career courses at MSU, and coordinates guest instructors for courses related to entrepreneurship and career development. As the founder of MSU’s Running Start music entrepreneurship program, she leads residencies, workshops, pitch competitions, concert series, classes, and a graduate certificate in music career development. Passionate about community engagement both personally and professionally, Christine leads the summer Music and the Garden series, as well as several experiential learning initiatives for students to engage with the Greater Lansing community through music and music education.

As a professional classical violist, Christine holds the assistant principal chair in the Flint Symphony, a section position with the Lansing Symphony, and has also performed with the Toledo, Grand Rapids, and Detroit Symphony. She is also a member of Contempus Initiative, a Mid-Michigan chamber collective dedicated to making new music accessible to everyone by creating collaborative performances that connect with today's audiences. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Viola Performance, a Master of Music in Viola Performance with an outside concentration in Pedagogy and Music Education from Indiana University, and a Master of Arts in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University.