Christopher Dixon ’07 chose Shenandoah University after attending a two-week residential Performing Arts Camp on its campus. Dixon first heard about the university through his high school Orchestra Teacher and Shenandoah alum G. Bud Hearne ’86, who frequently spoke about his time as a student in the conservatory.
During his time at Shenandoah University, some of Dixon’s fondest memories were taking violin lessons under Olivia Hajioff and viola lessons with Marc Ramirez. He also found a passion for teaching in public schools and a love for performing orchestral music when studying under Professor Emeritus of Music Education David Zerull, Ph.D. and Professor Emeritus of Conducting Jan Wagner. Additionally, Dixon enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Tokyo, Japan, with the Shenandoah Chorus, under the direction of Professor Emerita of Voice, Choral Conducting and Choral Music and adjunct professor of conducting, Karen Keating, to record a CD with the Central Band of Japan Air Self Defense Force.
“The dedication and passion of the students and faculty is immediately apparent and contagious,” said Dixon.
Dixon is a string teacher for three elementary schools in Prince William County Public Schools. They are Mary F. Williams, Covington-Harper and Triangle Elementary. In addition to his role as a music teacher, Dixon is the orchestra manager and principal 2nd violin of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, a volunteer community orchestra in Woodbridge, Virginia. He also performs with The Fredericksburg Symphony and Avanti Orchestra of the Friday Morning Music Club and does an extensive amount of gigging with string quartets in the Washington, D.C., area.
The most rewarding experience in Dixon’s career so far is receiving the Prince Williams County Arts Council‘s 2017 Kathleen K. Seefeldt Award for Arts Excellence for his outstanding volunteerism. He also enjoys watching his students progress and succeed musically.
Dixon believes that Shenandoah shaped him into the musician and teacher he is today because of the experiences he had with the dedicated faculty members of the Shenandoah Conservatory.
Dixon’s advice to current and future students is: “Ask your colleagues for help when you need it,” said Dixon. “Every new music teacher needs a mentor, an experienced teacher that they can bounce ideas off of; someone they feel comfortable with venting about their struggles and bragging about their triumphs.”