Strings

Christine Binzel

Violin I

Hailed as a “rising star to watch,” Christine Binzel joined the Tucson Symphony Orchestra as a member of the first violin section in the fall of 2025.

Binzel is a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, and graduate of the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received Academic Honors while studying with Joan Kwuon. Christine completed a Master’s Degree in Violin performance under the direction of Sergiu Schwartz at the Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia. She continued her education by receiving a Performer’s Diploma at the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas, with the late Emanuel Borok and Diane Kitzman.

Binzel began Suzuki studies at age 5, and by age 13 she had studied and performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She spent two years abroad in Paris, France, with intense training in both music and French language.

Summer engagements include the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Meadowmount School of Music, Brevard Music Center, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, and the Round Top Festival Institute.

In addition to performance, Binzel has experience in music administration at the Heifetz International Music Institute during the summers of 2023–2025. She has also taught private lessons at the Coppell Conservatory located in Coppell, Texas.

Her professional symphony debut occurred in November 2016 with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Georgia. Christine was also a violin section member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra and Irving Symphony in the Dallas area as well as the San Angelo Symphony from 2020–2025. In January 2022, Christine had the opportunity to perform as a substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Significant orchestral mentors include Bonnie Bewick-Brown of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra; and Diane Kitzman, former principal violinist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Outside of music, Binzel is an avid dessert enthusiast and enjoys exploring new cities through sweets. Binzel is also a very proud dog mother and is looking forward to exploring the city of Tucson with her Icelandic Sheepdog, Chip, by her side.