Christine Gero

We are devastated by the passing of Christine Elizabeth Gero, age 51 of Seattle, WA. Christine (known as Mama to her son, Chicky and Ms. Gero to her students) was a vibrant and accomplished powerhouse in her music education community. Most recently as Orchestra Director of Roosevelt High School. To watch her lead the students in her care to excellence in the creation of beauty was a marvel to behold. Her charisma, expertise and love for the kids and the craft have inspired a generation of students.

Christine was an accomplished conductor and violinist and has performed in venues from Carnegie Hall to the rock club CBGB’s in New York, to music festivals in Prague. She studied violin with Charles Johnston, Yuri Vodovoz of the Alaria Chamber Ensemble (Mannes College), Joey Corpus in New York City, and with acclaimed jazz violinist, John Blake Jr. and received a degree in music education from NYU. She performed and recorded with rock bands and singer-songwriters in New York City and Seattle.  She was regularly invited as a clinician and guest conductor for student groups throughout the Pacific Northwest and New York Metropolitan areas.

Her teaching career started at the Elizabeth Morrow School in Englewood, NJ. She took both Nyack High School (Nyack, NY) and Newport High School (Bellevue, WA) to win Grand Championships at the National Orchestra Cup in New York. She was Orchestra Director of Roosevelt High school and among their many accomplishments is a recent performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Christine dearly loved her son, Chicky, and cared for him with devotion and joy. He will miss snuggles, pillow fights, traveling with her, and discovering music. She was predeceased by grandparents and her parents Jerome and Ann Gero of Summit, NJ. She is survived by her wife, Katherine Biersbach, son Chicky, brother Stephen and niece Kira, brother John and wife Darleen, and nephews Jerome and Jason. She was daughter-in-law to Raymond and Geri Biersbach, Sister-in-law to Genevieve and Bill Richmond, aunt to Iona and Pearl, Sister-in-law of Raymond Biersbach and Rachel Smitek, aunt to Christian, Ben, Will and Colette. She is also survived by cherished cousins, Dianne, Debra and Susan, considered sisters by choice, and a by her loving extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles in New Jersey, Maine, Florida and California.

Christine will be remembered for her big personality and bigger voice, all packaged in that little frame (despite her high heels). She was a proud Italian woman and loved to eat and laugh and swap stories, especially on visits with Chicky to her East Coast family. Her recent visit to Italy and the town her ancestors came from was deeply meaningful. She could silence a room full of children with a look and then make them all fall apart again laughing. She had never-ending charm. Her students have poured forth with stories of how Christine changed their lives. She knew how to see people, and she accepted nothing less than their best and brightest selves. She wanted to do (and did) great things and wanted to bring everyone along with her. Christine was a ball of fire and talent, leaving everyone she met changed by her passion, love and warmth.