Guitar professor learns while teaching

“Although the students know that he is the teacher and they’re the student, they have a great personal relationship,” Fallis said. “Everyone feels like they are on the same plane.” 

Christiansen said he hopes his students will learn from his successes and go on to make their own name in the music business.  

“In order to succeed a musician needs three things,” Fallis said. “Practice, make connections, and through those connections and hard work, get the gigs that will expand the whole world of playing.”

This was the method Christiansen followed to success and said he encourages his students to do the same.

“Practice, practice,” Christiansen said. “Keep practicing and get many different sources to draw from because the more you draw from other people the more original you are going to be. Being an original is a good thing as long as you’re not just an original to be an original. I think you need to some kind of influence that has stood the test of time.”

For the faculty and students at USU, Christiansen’s influence has stood the test of time, Fallis said. 

“He could be anywhere,” Fallis said. “I hope he sticks around here. He’s the real deal.” 

–brianne.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu