Welcome to Christine Bock's Violin,Viola and Fiddle lessons.
Study with the BEST!
Come and learn from a former Principal Violist in the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, a seasoned professional Violinist and Violist at The Music Shoppe!!
 
     Christine Bock enjoys a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most sought-after artist on the violin, viola and fiddle. Chris Bock has performed as soloist and principal violist with numerous orchestras in the Midwest. Just to mention a couple orchestras, Ms. Bock was principal violist of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra for almost 20 years, Millikin-Decatur Symphony for 30 years, The Missouri Symphony Society for 7 years, and The South Bend Symphony, for 13 years – all concurrent positions! Having retired from her principal positions, Chris is now enjoying more time for teaching and fiddling. Chris has a Bachelor of Performance Degree from Illinois State University and a Masters of Performance Degree from Northwestern University and a partially completed a doctorate from the University of Illinois. She has taught at various Universities for the past 30 years, including Knox College and Andrews University, and most recently taught, as Adjunct Assistant Professor, at Millikin University for 18 years.

As a soloist and chamber musician, her work is prodigious and covers the globe.  Ms. Bock has performed in such storied concert venues as New York’s Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall and has concertized in the Bodensee Festival Concert Series in Germany.  An accomplished soloist, some of Christine’s most recent important performances include the Telemann Viola Concerto with the Illinois Chamber Orchestra, featured soloist in Don Quixote by Strauss with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Karl Stamitz Viola Concerto with the South Bend Symphony and the Brandenburg Concerto No.6 by Johann Sebastian Bach with the Illinois State University Orchestra.  

Along with her accomplishments as an orchestral musician Chris has had a long career as a chamber player, as a soloist with orchestra, and in recital on both the violin and viola. The CD called “Journeys”,  recently released by MSR Classics, features performances by Christine Bock and the Heim Duo playing the  music by the composer Robert Baksa.  Ms Bock may also be heard on the CD, “Celtic Rose” produced and performed by the famed Marita Brake and The Book of Laments by Christopher Pond.

Chris Bock has grown up in the classical world, but played briefly in a rock band called The Polite Coyotes and discovered she enjoys performing rock music and jamming on the fiddle! Now, she runs wild in the Celtic neighborhoods and is a member of The Shanties. In her seventh year as the fiddler in this new Irish rock band, Chris has fallen in love with Irish music and playing a star role on the fiddle. Go to www.theshanties.com  for upcoming dates.

In addition to music, Chris has a passion for writing, art, fitness, healthy cooking, and has run four Chicago marathons. Chris also promotes the artwork of her late husband Walter Bock, offering original art and high quality digital images: www.waltbock.com (website is currently unavailable). She makes her home in Normal with her two Siamese cats, Joce and Min.

Teaching style:

Chris Bock has decades of experience teaching all ages from as young as four years old to university level and then professionals seeking performance positions in orchestra. Ms. Bock is a very energetic and enthusiastic teacher who believes that the process of learning an instrument is challenging but fun! She encourages the student to practice daily to acquire skills and helps the student learn how to practice and unlock their potential. Ms Bock has a unique ability to empathize with the student to target solutions, and to adjust to their pace of learning. Ms Bock believes in positive teaching, and is always encouraging and patient. Chris currently has a studio at The Music Shoppe studios and maintains a studio of about 60 students. Ms. Bock teaches all ages and all advancement on violin, viola and fiddle and there are recitals offered every fall and spring. 


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