Rosanne Christensen Smith's Obituary
Rosanne and Her Music
Rosanne Christensen Smith, fondly called Miss Rosanne by her many students, enjoyed a 52-year music career.
She earned a B.A. degree in music education from Brigham Young University and studied violin with Sherry Kloss, assistant to Jascha Heifetz; Lori Ulanova of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Joanne Ausmus-Baker.
Rosanne taught violin, viola, cello, and piano in St. Louis, Mo.; Anaheim, Calif.; and Corvallis, Ore.; and mastered her notable teaching techniques attending Suzuki conferences throughout Europe and the United States.
Her Orange County Holiday Strings touring ensemble of 40 students ages 5–18 presented three hours of memorized, 4- and 5-part harmony arrangements she created. They performed in venues all over Southern California.
Students progressed rapidly in Rosanne's summer music camps, which featured music theory, master classes, solo recitals, and instruction of operas and ballets with original artwork coloring books. Her students were regularly spotlighted at conventions and honors recitals.
Rosanne performed in chamber orchestras in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. For 37 years, she played in the Disneyland Candlelight Orchestra and was a strolling violinist throughout Southern California. She also performed with the Pacific Symphony, Rio Hondo Symphony, and Fullerton Civic Light Opera.
Life changed for Rosanne on 8-8-98 when she married Allen H. Smith in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Corvallis. Because many of her California students insisted on having their weekly lessons, Rosanne embraced remote learning technology and continued teaching them from Oregon. She recalled, "Young people are so TV-oriented that I seem to have as much success communicating playing techniques with them via the television as I do in person."
Rosanne was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, during a 1956 February snowstorm so fierce the neighbor drove her mother to the hospital because her father was stuck where he taught at the University of Utah. She enjoyed an active athletic childhood with her five brothers (and one unathletic sister) and loved skiing throughout the Mountain West. Always faithful and involved in church service, Rosanne accepted the call to serve an 18-month mission in French-speaking Montreal, Canada.
For those who were unable to attend the service, a recording has been made available here: https://youtu.be/cn8I2KROL8s
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a music-teaching organization or school of your choice.
Graveside service at Elysian Burial Gardens: Oct 21, 2023, 12:00-12:30 pm Dedication of the Grave & Interment, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, UT 84117.
Luncheon at a ward building close to the original location: Oct, 21, 2023, 1:00-3:00 pm. Note the address change 5156 Clay Hollow Ave, West Jordan, UT 84081
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