Bio

A native of the German-Mennonite community of Kitchener Ontario, Christie first came to British Columbia with her husband, Dr. Brent Morrison and their 3 sons, Steven, David and Scott in 1989.

Prior to their move to the west, Christie did all of her musical training in Ontario. She completed her grade 8 in piano though the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music (R.C.M.) and then began formal voice training after being chosen as a young soprano (age 11 yr) making her debut as a soloist at a Christmas concert in front of 8,000 people. Her first voice teacher was Harry Urstandt in Kitchener, Ontario. Under his most capable tutelage, Christie placed first for many years in the local Kiwanis music festival.

After high school, Christie furthered her musical studies at Wilfred Laurier University and studied voice under the tutelage of Dr. Victor Martins. Then her vocal studies were put on hold as she married and supported her husband while he finished his Doctoral studies in Optometry at the University of Waterloo.

After raising her children, Christie returned to complete her vocal studies with Dr. Marvin Regier at Western Washington University in Bellingham. She also completed a Teacher’s Training course through the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Upon completion, Christie was awarded the Madeline Till award for excellence and distinction in teaching.

In January 2006, alongside her dear friend and colleague, Kathy Koch, Christie performed her ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music) practical exam.

Christie has an active voice studio attached to her home and delights in teaching and working with young children. Her students have won several awards through the Victoria Music Festival.

She continues to sing in the community and was a soloist in the Gilbert and Sullivan pop concert series with the Victoria Symphony. Christie is an active member of the British Columbia Registered Music Teacher’s Association (B.C.R.M.T.A.). She is also a member of the International Registered Voice Teacher’s Association (N.A.T.S.).

In 2017, Christie placed first in an open category composition for the province of British Columbia. Her song cycle, “Tooth or Consequences” is a series of four songs written for children’s voice and piano of comparable levels.

Christie is excited to be a new member of the ACWC.