Keynote Address: What We Do Matters: Teaching with Purpose, Leading with Heart
Clinician(s): Jeanne Christensen
In this keynote, Jeanne Christensen will inspire music educators to reflect on why we chose this profession and the lasting impact we have on our students. We will explore the transformative power music has in the lives of our students and ourselves, while exploring the importance of leading with heart in every rehearsal, daily routine, and performance. This session is a reminder that our work goes far beyond notes and rhythms, it is about purpose, connection, and the difference we make every day.
Mrs. Jeanne Christensen retired in May 2025 after a 34-year career in teaching high school instrumental music. She was the director of bands at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego, California which is in the San Diego Unified School District. Her Band program at Mira Mesa High School was the largest in the district and one of the largest in Southern California. Music has always been her love and teaching is her passion. Mrs. Christensen taught Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, AP Music Theory, various small ensembles, along with Color Guard.
Mrs. Christensen was born and raised in San Diego. After graduating from Clairemont High School, she attended the University of San Diego where she earned a B.A. in Music and earned a M.A. in Educational Leadership from National University. Mrs. Christensen built a strong foundation of music education and performance opportunities for her students each year. In addition to teaching high school instrumental music, Mrs. Christensen is currently the President of CBDA (California Band Directors Association), is a Past-President of the Southern Border Section of CMEA, and is the immediate Past-President of SCSBOA (Southern CA School Band & Orchestra Association).
Mrs. Christensen has been honored to receive multiple music educator awards over the years and is frequently invited to be a guest honor band conductor. Mrs. Christensen was honored to conduct the All-State Jr. High Concert Band at CASMEC in 2022. Mrs. Christensen also received the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award for California in 2022, the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor Award in 2019, was awarded with “50 Directors that Make a Difference” in 2018, and received the CMEA Don Schmeer/Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award in 2016.
Going to National and International events with her students has been a highlight throughout Mrs. Christensen’s career. She has traveled with the Mira Mesa HS Band ensembles to locations which include performing in the Opening Ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, representing the State of California in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., working at The Juilliard School with the conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, performing at the United Nations in New York City, performing with her wind ensemble at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Symphony Center, and marching in the 2016 and 2022 Tournament of Roses Parades in Pasadena, California.
The two mottos that guide Mrs. Christensen’s teaching are to be “All In” and to “Make a Difference”.
Session Handouts