NOVEMBER, 2009

Christine won first prize in the Florida League of Pen Women 2009 Music Competition with her solo piano composition, “Twilight Interlude.”  This piece will be featured on her January 2010 CD release.

OCTOBER, 2009

     Christine was inducted into the National League of American Pen Women on October 30, 2009.  This organization consists of American women who are published contributors in the areas of visual, performing and creative arts.   

     Matthew Oliver, 17, one of the piano students in Christine Arens’s Lake Wales studio and a junior at Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, FL, was named as one of three state finalists in the VSA Young Soloist Competition.  Matthew has been blind since birth.  As part of the recognition of this honor, Matthew performed on a concert of the Florida Orchestra on October 17 in St. Petersburg, FL.  He is now eligible for the national VSA Competition in 2010.

     Casey Howard, 17, another student in Christine’s studio, was a state semi-finalist in the VSA Young Soloist Competition.

     Christine is very proud of both of her students!

JUNE, 2009

     Christine was awarded the Certificate of Professional Advancement by the Florida State Music Teachers Association.  This certificate was in recognition of her work in teaching, and advancement of the music profession in the areas of compostion and performance. 

OCTOBER, 2008

     Christine’s most recently published solo piano composition, “Of Sapphire Skies” (Neil A. Kjos Music Co.) received a wonderful write-up in both Clavier (September/October 2008) and Clarion (December 2007)  magazines.  Both publications made reference to it as a “good piece for older students”. 

Matthew Oliver, 16 year-old student in Christine’s Lake Wales, FL studio, was the 2008 recipient of the Mary Ellis Smith Scholarship, presented by the Ridge Music Teachers Association.   Each year, this award is given to the student with the highest cumulative score at the Florida State Music Teachers Assn. District Student Day in three separate areas: performance audition, written theory, and aural theory exams.  Matthew scored 100% in all three areas –  and his teacher could not have been more proud.  Congratulations, Matthew!