Bio
Krista Windingland
Krista grew up in the cold, dark winters of rural Minnesota where she kept herself warm practicing violin and piano dressed in layers of sweaters. As an adult she moved to the bright, hot land of Texas, where she would never need to wear a sweater again! Now she keeps cool writing original music and arrangements for string ensembles.
At age three, Krista began her studies in classical music with lessons on violin, adding piano at 8. From age 10-18, she played in school orchestras and sang in school and church choirs. After high school, Krista set aside violin, piano, and singing to pursue degrees in Viola Performance, with the goal of becoming a violist in a major Symphony Orchestra. Despite experience as a substitute violist with the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, she never won an audition for a permanent orchestra position.
After moving to Texas, Krista studied the Suzuki method and taught private violin and viola lessons. She studied music education and was an orchestra instructor. Krista also studied composition and jazz, and has been writing and recording original compositions and arrangements.
Krista's recordings can be found on all music platforms, YouTube, and even more can be found on this website.
Krista 's greatest gifts are her 3 children.
curriculum vitae
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATIONS
University of North Texas, Denton, TX — Post- Baccalaureate Teaching Certification, Music EC-12 — 2020
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN — MM, Viola Performance, 2006
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN — BM, Viola Performance, 2004
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Jazz Studies, University of North Texas — 2018-2020
Jazz Theory, Jazz Aural Skills, Jazz Arranging, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Keyboard Fundamentals, Intro to Jazz Recordings, private violin improv lessons with Scott Tixier
Cello and Bass, University of North Texas — 2020
Private lessons with Gudrun Raschen.
Composition
- Orchestration with Kirsten Broberg, University of North Texas — 2018
- Private lessons with Brent Michael Davids, Saint Paul, MN — 2006-2008
Suzuki Method Teacher Training, Waco and Dallas, TX — 2012
Books 1-4 for Violin and Viola
American Viola Society International Viola Congress, Minneapolis, MN — 2004
Attended concerts and Performed Viola for a Master Class
Aspen Music Festival, CO — 2004
Performed Viola in Orchestra with Gil Shaham, soloist, and John Williams, conductor and composer. Took private lessons with Sabina Thatcher.
Chautauqua Music Festival, NY — 2002
Performed Viola in Orchestra and Chamber Groups. Took private and group lessons with Evan Wilson.
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING
Freelance Violist — 2000- present
Perform with chamber groups and orchestras for weddings, Christmas programs, Choir concerts, Other Community Concerts and Theatrical Performances.
“Strings a la mode”, String Quartet, Minneapolis, MN — 2004-2011
Violist and Manager. Arranged music for clients’ special requests.
Minnesota Orchestra — 2006-2008
Substitute Violist
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, MN — 2006
Substitute Violist
Edina Symphony Orchestra, MN — 2006-2007
Principal Violist
Mankato Orchestra, MN — 2004-2006
Assistant Principal Violist
Kenwood Orchestra, MN — 2005
Solo Violist
Saint Cloud Symphony, MN — 1999
Keyboardist: Harpsichord, Celeste, Piano
PROFESSIONAL RECORDINGS
Winterland Studios, Minneapolis, MN — 2008
Panhandle Recording Studio, Denton, TX — 2022-2024
TEACHING
Lakeview Middle School, Lewisville, TX 2021-2022
Orchestra Director for 5 classes: Beginning Violin, Beginning Cello, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Special Ed. Inclusion. Wrote arrangements performed at the School Concert.
McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney, TX 2021
Orchestra Co- Director: The Lead teacher for 3 of 6 orchestras; led small group sectionals for other 3 orchestras. Composed a piece performed at the Spring Concert.
Marcus High School, Flower Mound, TX — 2020
Student Teacher: Shared responsibilities teaching the Sinfonia Orchestra, led Sectionals for the Chamber Orchestra.
Downing Middle School, Flower Mound, TX — 2020
Student Teacher: Shared responsibilities for Beginning Violin Class, Beginning Viola Class (with Special Ed. Inclusion), and 7th Grade Orchestra. Arranged a song for the 7th Grade Orchestra.
University of North Texas String Project, Denton, TX — 2019-2020
Lead Teacher; arranged music for my ensembles, led rehearsals, conducted at the performance. Did on-line ZOOM lessons when COVID happened.
Private studio, Lewisville, TX — 2013-2016
Teacher; Private and Group Violin and Viola Lessons
VOLUNTEERING
Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, Dallas TX 2022-present
Principal Violist
Beth Sar Shalom, Carrollton, TX
Violinist— 2023-2024
Prestonwood Church, Plano, TX
Violist — 2012-2015
Eden Prairie Evangelical Free Church, Eden Prairie, MN
Violist — 2007-2011; Interim Music Director — 2010-2011
Testimony
Trust and Obey
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6