Adjunct professor of clarinet Heather Ryan-Christie guides students on their respective musical journeys

Heather Ryan-Christie serves Concordia University, Nebraska as adjunct professor of clarinet. This is her first year at the university. She teaches applied clarinet lessons to music majors whose primary instrument is clarinet, as well as to non-majors that want to improve their clarinet technique and musicality. 

“I tell my students that my job is to help them succeed in all of their clarinet-related endeavors and help guide them along their respective musical journeys, whether they are music majors or not!” she said. “My students know that wherever their life path takes them, I will always be in their corner!” 

She said she considers it a privilege to work with such hard-working and dedicated students.  

“Getting to witness these young men and women flourish into fine musicians makes this job more than worth it. I am very proud of my studio!”

“Their work ethic and sense of purpose was no doubt cultivated by the culture here at Concordia Nebraska,” she said. “I am blessed with having a studio full of intelligent and voracious learners that genuinely care about music and have the drive to improve upon their God-given talents. Getting to witness these young men and women flourish into fine musicians makes this job more than worth it. I am very proud of my studio!” 

Ryan-Christie earned her bachelor of music education degree in instrumental music from the University of Tulsa. She earned her master of arts in music with an emphasis in clarinet performance from Washington State University. She is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts in clarinet performance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. 

“I am continuously in awe of God's perfect timing. My husband and I initially planned on relocating to Nebraska from our hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in order for me to pursue a doctor of musical arts degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,” she explained. “In April, I was made aware of an opportunity to teach clarinet at Concordia, and after a wonderful chat with Robert Cody, I knew immediately that God was opening this path for me.” 

When she is not teaching, performing or practicing, she enjoys reading, exploring the natural beauty of the Earth and spending time with her husband, Caleb, and their dog, Jake.  

Concordia University, Nebraska’s music programs offer students rigorous preparation to glorify God in their future vocations through the study and performance of music. Through applied lessons, participation in one of the university’s outstanding ensembles or academic music pursuits, hundreds of students of any major can make great music and lifelong friendships at Concordia.