Kristie Finney was born and raised in Washington state. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Long Beach, and her Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. As a professional flutist in the New York area, Ms. Finney performed with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Presentation Season Orchestra, and the Harrisburg Symphony. While holding the position of flutist in the Erick Hawkins Dance Company Theatre Orchestra, she toured extensively in the United States and participated in an Asian tour to Japan, China, and Hong Kong. Since moving to West Virginia, Ms. Finney has performed with the West Virginia Symphony, the Ohio Valley Symphony, the River Cities Symphony, and the Seneca Chamber Orchestra. She has been featured as a guest soloist with the Seneca Chamber Orchestra, as well.
Ms. Finney has always maintained a private music lesson studio. Her first position as a music teacher in the classroom was for Covenant School, where in addition to teaching general music, she started their band program. At Our Lady of Fatima, Ms. Finney taught general music, started an award-winning band and choir program, and served as the parish’s Music Director. Ms. Finney joined the St Joseph family when she began a band program at the High School. Currently, she is teaching music in some form to St Joseph students from Kindergarten through twelfth grade.