The ORMTA has an abundance of members who dedicate much time and passion to teaching their students, helping this organization, and volunteering within their communities. It is with this spirit that the ORMTA recognizes these exceptional individuals on an annual basis with an ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award (or OCTA).

The Windsor-Essex branch of the ORMTA has nominated Christine in recognition of the world class level of musicianship and piano pedagogy that she continues to value and uphold in our community and beyond. Her passion for nurturing a love of music in young artists is evident through her enthusiastic participation in our branch activities. Christine strives to reach each student and make a positive impact on their learning, for instance, by providing workshops, masterclasses, and adjudicating competitions at the local and zone levels. We are truly grateful to Christine for enriching the musical arts in Windsor through her steadfast devotion to education.

Pianist Christine Vanderkooy has performed as a soloist across Canada, and in the USA and Europe, including a European recital tour, the Eckhardt-Grammaté National Piano Competition, the Gaudeamus International Competition, and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in the Dietrich Fischer Dieskau Workshop.  Recent performances include an invitation to New York City by the Leschetizky Association, a debut of commissioned works by David L. McIntyre at the CFMTA national convention, a recital for the University Music Society national conference, and appearances with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra including Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos, K. 365, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet, and Bach’s Concerto No. 5 in F minor.  Christine’s CD release, Schubert and Schumann, has enjoyed critical acclaim and CBC Radio play.  Christine’s newest album release, Schubert: Late Piano Works, was recorded at the Glenn Gould Studio and features Schubert’s Sonata in C-minor, D. 958, and Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946.

Christine's national reputation as a piano pedagogue is reflected in invitations to adjudicate festivals and competitions, including the Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Québec Provincials; the National Piano Competition for the CFMTA; and as a judge for the Canadian JUNO Awards. Christine has been invited to give masterclasses at the University of Lethbridge, Regina Conservatory, McMaster University, Bishop's University, the ARMTA, and the CFMTA national convention. An enthusiastic supporter of amateur musicians, Christine taught and performed for many years at CANMAC's summer festival in Laurentides, QC.

Christine's contributions as a writer and presenter include a conference presentation in Florence, Italy, a presentation at the University of Arizona on Music Performance Anxiety, a presentation at the national convention of the CFMTA on Beethoven's pedaling in piano works, and a presentation at Bishop's University on Russian piano literature. By invitation, Christine has contributed an article for the Royal Conservatory of Music blog, designed a course for RCM's use entitled "Piano Pedagogy: Gesture and Sound," and traveled with the senior pedagogy team across Alberta. Christine will be presenting at The Piano Conference NCKP 2025 this summer.

Christine's major teachers include David McIntyre, Boyd McDonald, Tom Plaunt, Sara Laimon, and Marc Durand. Having studied and taught at McGill University where she earned a Doctor of Music (D.Mus.) degree in Piano Performance, Christine has since held positions at the University of Prince Edward Island, Lakehead University, and the University of Regina, and is currently Associate Professor at the University of Windsor.