Kenneth Christensen, 2024 Simon-Fiset Piano Adjudicator

Kenneth Christensen, nationally certified teacher of music and pianist, has appeared as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout his home state of Montana as well as the United States, Europe and Asia. His international performances include collaboration with composers and conductors John Rutter and the late Sir Richard Wilcox in performances at Kings College Chapel Cambridge, England and London’s Royal Albert Hall. Other international appearances include performances at the First American Invitational Music Festival in China and the Philippines and the Montana State University 2012 Alumni Chorale Tour of Italy, Switzerland and France.

His academic achievements include receiving the prestigious “Award in Excellence in Teaching” while serving on the faculty at the School of Music at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Mr. Christensen served as President for the Music Teachers National Association from 2013 to 2015 and received a Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow in the spring of 2017. Currently Mr. Christensen continues to remain active as a performer and serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Piano at Montana State University where his students continue to win state and regional competitions. In 2014 Mr. Christensen was awarded the Montana State Music Teachers Association “Teacher of the Year.”

As a member of Music Teachers National Association Mr. Christensen travels the Pacific Northwest judging piano competitions as well as presenting workshops and master classes for students and teachers. In the fall of 1997 Mr. Christensen collaborated with pianist Liza Hella to form their piano duo “2 Pianos 4 Hands.” Together they concertized throughout the United States and performed their New York recital debut in April of 2006 at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. In early 2008 “2 Pianos 4 Hands” appeared on the Emmy Award winning Montana PBS television program “11 th and Grant” with Eric Funk. Mr. Christensen earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Montana State University and completed the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Montana.