Bio

Dr. Christine Nien-Tzu Lin, a violist who recently graduated from Boston University, where she previously earned her Master of Music degree under the guidance of Professor Michelle LaCourse and Professor Hye Min Choi.

 

Born in the winter of 1996, Christine began playing the viola at the age of 11. She graduated from National Girls’ Senior High School Music Special Program and earned a Bachelor of Music degree at National Taipei University of Education. She studied with Xue-Wei Chen, Mei-Jhen Li, Li-Wen Wang, Yi-Wen Chao, and Chun-Hung Ho. During her time in Taipei, she participated in several orchestras, including Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Yin-Qi Symphony Orchestra, and performed at National Concert Hall in Taiwan. 

 

She went on to study at Boston University, where she earned her Master degree. As an active violist, she participated in several orchestras, including Boston Civic Symphony (2022-2025, Principal Violist) where she also attended and presented as violist of string quartet at GBH - Boston Public Radio (2024), The Gilded Age Orchestra (2025), Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (2021-2023), Boston Strings Ensemble (2021-2025), Quincy Symphony Orchestra (2021-2025, Guest Principal Violist), New Philharmonia Orchestra (2023), Boston Orchestra Book Club (2023-2024, Guest Principal Violist),  The Next Generation Orchestra of Boston Ballet (2024, Guest Principal Violist), and MIT Symphony Orchestra (2023). She performed in master classes for renowned violists Pamela Ryan and Susan Dubois. In 2024, She was granted a fellowship for the Atlantic Music Festival and performed in the faculty concert.

 

During her time at Boston University, Christine was the winner of multiple awards and scholarships, including Boston University Soloist Competition (2022, Penderecki Viola Concerto), which she made her debut to perform with Boston University Symphony Orchestra under Maestro James Burton’s baton. Other awards include Boston University String Department Awards (2022 and 2025), and Scholarship of Study Abroad from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (2023).

 

Christine is also deeply committed to music education. Her experiences across multiple organizations and schools have shaped her as a versatile educator. Christine has taught at Boston University, giving private viola lessons to non-major undergraduate students, coaching viola sectionals for the All-Campus Orchestra, and working with non-major chamber ensembles. She was Director of Ensemble and Upper Strings Teaching Artist at the Boston Music Project, Upper Strings Instructor at Somerville Public Schools’ Summer Music Camp, conductor of the String Workshop and instructor of Piano Lab at Brimmer and May School, and a piano and violin instructor at Pianoberries Music School and Union Music Lessons. In the summer of 2024, she was invited to give a Masterclass of Penderecki Viola Concerto.