School of Music faculty, students, and alumni were saddened to hear of the passing of longtime School of Music collaborative pianist Kristine Anderson, who died in September 2024 at her home in Seattle. Active in the larger Seattle music community, she frequently worked with the UW flute studio as well as the Seattle Flute Society and other area arts organizations.
"The flute studio has cherished the time and expertise Kristine shared over the many years," said Donna Shin, flutist and chair of Woodwinds and Brass at the UW. "I’ve known and worked with Kristine since the late 90’s. She was always a positive light for us. She knew the whole flute repertoire, and she was an important part of the flute community. She was generous with our students and a source of great encouragement. We have greatly missed her both musically and personally."
Rhonda Kline, who oversees the collaborative pianists at the School of Music, also has fond memories of Kristine and her work at the UW. "Kristine had been working at the UW as a collaborative pianist for many years, and was particularly involved with the instrumental areas here, but she also had a long career with singers and opera in the Seattle area," Kline said. "I know she was here as a pianist working with students, and perhaps some faculty, for more than 25 years. She was a multi-faceted musician, and a dedicated bicyclist, riding her bike most days from the Ballard area to work at UW, even through the winter months! She was a support and encouragement to me many times in the work I had to do as supervisor/scheduler of the staff pianists, and I remain grateful for the contributions she made over the years to our students and their musical growth."
Anderson died Sept. 18, 2024, at her home in Seattle, after enduring three years of aggressive oral cancer. She was born on March 21, 1953, in Richland, Wash. Her parents were Howard and Clarene Anderson.
Kristine earned her music degree from the University of Montana (Missoula) and was well-known as a piano accompanist throughout the Puget Sound region. She was an enthusiastic hiker, exploring the trails of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. She often hiked alone, as no companion could keep up with her. In the winter she skied and snowshoed.
Kris is survived by her sisters Ronnene Anderson (Mark Peppler) and Dixie Bradeen (Guy Bradeen), nephews Matthew and Neil Peppler, and grand-nephew Kai.
Read full obituary here.