2024 Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow

Meet Tina Christiansen

Tina Christiansen currently serves as Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School in the Gwinnett County School District in Hoschton, Georgia, having previously served in the same school as Associate Director of Bands. As Director of Bands, Ms. Christiansen oversees the Pride of Mill Creek Marching Band, all concert ensembles, and both jazz ensembles. She is the primary conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.    From 2020-2022, Ms. Christiansen completed the Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting degree at Georgia State University, where she studied under Robert J. Ambrose, Chester B. Phillips, and Devin Reid. During her tenure at GSU, she served as a graduate assistant for the  band program and conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Saxophone Choir.  In addition, Ms. Christiansen was the Graduate Assistant Director of the Basketball Band and assisted with all facets of the Marching Band program.   Ms. Christiansen is a 2020 graduate of Arkansas Tech University where she earned the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree magna cum laude and was a student of Daniel Belongia. During her tenure at ATU, Ms. Christiansen performed as a saxophonist, percussionist, and singer in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and several choirs. In 2019, she was selected as a student conductor for the Concert Band. Through the Jazz Ensemble Ms. Christiansen had the opportunity to perform and travel across Europe. Ms. Christiansen was also a four-year member of the Marching Band, serving as drum major for 2 seasons.   Ms. Christiansen is a native of Van Buren, Arkansas, and graduated from Van Buren High School in 2015 under the direction of Ron Smith. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, and Tau Beta Sigma, an honorary band sorority. Ms. Christiansen is a lifelong learner and plays saxophone regularly as a member of the Tara Winds adult community band. Outside of music, Ms. Christiansen loves to visit her family and friends in Arkansas, spend time with her cat Jiji, play video games, and cheer on the Atlanta Braves!