About Christine Gero
Christine E. Gero joined the Bellevue Music Department as the Newport High School Orchestra Director in 2013, after serving as Music Department Chairperson and Orchestra Director for the Nyack Public Schools in New York. Prior to teaching in Nyack, Ms. Gero was on the music faculty at the Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, NJ. Ms. Gero received her B.A. in Music, and her M. A. in Music Education from New York University.
Since her arrival at Newport High School, the orchestra program, which has 3 levels of orchestras, has grown by 43% in just the last 4 years and now boasts over 200 string players. The program has also received numerous grants and accolades since 2013 including the Newport High School Chamber Orchestra placing 2nd at the 2015 American Strings Teachers Association’s National Orchestra Festival in Salt Lake City, UT. Ms. Gero also established a full orchestra at NHS, the Newport Philharmonic, which in 2016, was invited to perform as an honored group of the state at the Washington Music Educator’s Conference in Yakima, WA. Later that spring, the Philharmonic traveled to NYC and was named Grand Champion at the National Orchestra Cup Competition at Lincoln Center. Last spring, the Newport Philharmonic performed as an honored ensemble at the 2017 All-Northwest Music Educator’s Conference. Most recently, the Philharmonic performed at the 2018 Capital Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Presidents’ Day.
Ms. Gero has performed as conductor and violinist in various settings, from Carnegie Hall to the famous rock club CBGB’s in New York. She has studied violin primarily with Charles Johnston, Yuri Vodovoz of the Alaria Chamber Ensemble (Mannes College), and Joey Corpus in New York City. As a chamber musician she has performed throughout the NY metropolitan area and in Prague at the Ameropa Music Festival. Ms.Gero’s work in alternative music genres include studies with acclaimed jazz violinist, John Blake Jr. as well as performances and recording with rock bands and singer-songwriters in New York City and Seattle. She is also regularly invited as a clinician and guest conductor for student groups throughout the Pacific Northwest and New York Metropolitan areas.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
Since her arrival at Newport High School, the orchestra program, which has 3 levels of orchestras, has grown by 43% in just the last 4 years and now boasts over 200 string players. The program has also received numerous grants and accolades since 2013 including the Newport High School Chamber Orchestra placing 2nd at the 2015 American Strings Teachers Association’s National Orchestra Festival in Salt Lake City, UT. Ms. Gero also established a full orchestra at NHS, the Newport Philharmonic, which in 2016, was invited to perform as an honored group of the state at the Washington Music Educator’s Conference in Yakima, WA. Later that spring, the Philharmonic traveled to NYC and was named Grand Champion at the National Orchestra Cup Competition at Lincoln Center. Last spring, the Newport Philharmonic performed as an honored ensemble at the 2017 All-Northwest Music Educator’s Conference. Most recently, the Philharmonic performed at the 2018 Capital Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Presidents’ Day.
Ms. Gero has performed as conductor and violinist in various settings, from Carnegie Hall to the famous rock club CBGB’s in New York. She has studied violin primarily with Charles Johnston, Yuri Vodovoz of the Alaria Chamber Ensemble (Mannes College), and Joey Corpus in New York City. As a chamber musician she has performed throughout the NY metropolitan area and in Prague at the Ameropa Music Festival. Ms.Gero’s work in alternative music genres include studies with acclaimed jazz violinist, John Blake Jr. as well as performances and recording with rock bands and singer-songwriters in New York City and Seattle. She is also regularly invited as a clinician and guest conductor for student groups throughout the Pacific Northwest and New York Metropolitan areas.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
- Newport Philharmonic invitation to perform at the All-Northwest Music Educator's Conference (2017)
- National Orchestra Cup-Lincoln Center, NYC, Grand Champion, Best Upper String Soloist and Best String Section (Newport HS Philharmonic, 2016)
- Newport Philharmonic invitation to perform at the WMEA Conference (2016)
- ASTA National Orchestra Festival - 2nd Place / Superior Rating (Newport Chamber Orchestra, 2015)
- Young Prague Festival - 3rd Place / Bronze Medal (Nyack HS Chamber Orchestra, 2013)
- ASTA National Orchestra Festival - 3rd Place / Superior Rating (Nyack HS Chamber Orchestra, 2013)
- National Educational Music Company Grand Prize Winner "Music Is Life Contest" (Nyack Music Department, 2013)
- ASTA National Orchestra Festival- Superior Rating (Nyack HS Chamber Orchestra, 2011, 2009)
- National Orchestra Cup-Lincoln Center, NYC, Grand Champion, Best Upper String Soloist and Best String Section (Nyack HS Chamber Orchestra, 2010)
- Rockland County Distinguished Service Award (2010, 2006)
- Nyack Public Schools Outstanding Achievement Award (2010, 2007, 2006)
- Nyack Chamber Orchestra grant recipient from Chamber Music America (2009, 2008)
- Nyack Chamber Orchestra invitation to perform for the New York State School Boards Association (2009)
- Nyack Chamber Orchestra invitation to perform at the NYSSMA Winter Conference (2007)