Christine Hiester’s first transformative travel experience– a youth orchestra tour of Poland in 1990, following the end of communist rule and a free election for the first time in fifty years– offered her more than just a new view of the world. It offered a new view of humanity, of herself, and of the power of music to unify and inspire. For 17-year-old Christine, this experience had enough potency to ignite a love of travel rooted in pilgrimage instead of merely tourism, and a willingness to be changed at a soul level by cultural uniqueness and the element of surprise. A love and willingness that have only grown stronger in the decades since.

As a classical musician and artist, Christine has had many opportunities to enjoy and co-facilitate travel around the globe, from summers spent in Europe to tours of South America and Canada, incorporating a balance of performance, education, cultural immersion, and beauty-seeking. She has advanced degrees in education, performance, and conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has more than 30 years of experience in church music and vocal pedagogy. Christine’s orientation toward the spiritual life, her training as a spiritual director, and her experience as a retreat facilitator also inform her perspective on travel. She has certifications in interfaith companionship and grief work and uses creative and contemplative practices to guide others in seeking a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the human-Divine connection. Engaging travel through a transformative lens is one of the surest ways to broaden our awareness and cultivate depth and compassion for our shared human journey.