Play the Part is brand new to the Montclair area. We provide group instruction during day time hours for homeschooling families at our upcoming Montclair studio location OR we come to your location. We also offer private instruction in voice, piano, and acting. Group classes will build confidence, engage students in social interaction that requires trust and honesty, build a life-long appreciation for theater arts as well as music, and give your families a safe environment in which to explore. Private instruction allows students one-on-one time to sharpen their skills in reading music, playing piano, singing, or acting. Most of all, Play the Part is a fun place to learn!

Your Instructor

Christie Rotarius is a recent transplant to the Howard County area. She hails from South Jersey where she spent 4 years as the vocal and piano department head at Old Towne Music. She has worked as an Instructor for TakeLessons, a leading provider of music lessons nationwide since 2008 and currently serves on their Teacher Advisory Panel. She has 12 years of teaching experience and 9 years of “Mom” experience (which really helps in the teaching department!) As a former homeschooling Mom, she is supportive and understanding of the unique situation of the homeschooling family. Christie is a warm and loving teacher that can work well with almost any student. She has successfully taught several autistic children, some with ADD, a deaf vocal student and children with other special needs. She has also taught an 80 year old grandmother and a middle-aged father. She is patient, but firm; fun, but professional. Students are never bored and look forward to their lessons. She is passionate about what she does and hopes to instill a life-long love of music and performing in her students.

Along with her teaching experience, Christie has an impressive performance resume, as well. She spent 7 years as a working actor and singer in New York City (under the stage name Christie Lynn Devoe). During her time in New York, Christie performed in many Off-Off Broadway musicals, several operas, on television and in film. She has performed at Madison Square Garden, at the Original Improv Comedy Club, and was seen at the NJPAC performing "The Lord of the Rings Symphony" with the New Jersey Symphony. She studied vocal music performance at Montclair State University under world-famous counter tenor Jeffrey Gall and music education at Asbury College. She also had the great privilege to study acting in New York under the amazing Gene Frankel.