Christie-Jo Adams is a distinguished music educator with a career spanning 32 years. Currently, she serves as the Coordinator for PreK-12 Arts Education for Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia, having previously held the position of Fine Arts Instructional Specialist. Prior to her current administrative roles, Ms. Adams dedicated 21 years to teaching orchestra within the Richmond and Henrico County Public School systems. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Virginia Union University and, for twelve years previously, as the conductor of String Sinfonietta, the entry-level string orchestra in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program.
Ms. Adams was instrumental in the implementation and success of Virginia’s first Arts Integration Middle School within Richmond Public Schools and is currently spearheading the development of the district’s Richmond High School for the Arts. A dedicated violinist, she has performed as a member of the Petersburg Symphony and the Richmond Philharmonic. Her innovative approach to integrating the arts into general instruction earned her recognition as a ‘Leader to Learn From’ by Education Week magazine. Additionally, her article, “The Arts as a School Motivator,” was recently published in AASA School Administrator. In 2026 she was awarded the Lucille Brown Impact Award from Richmond Public Schools.
An active leader in the arts community, Ms. Adams serves on the Board of Directors for numerous arts organizations and is a member of the Richmond Mayor’s RVA Arts and Culture Advisory Group. She holds degrees from Longwood University and Averett University. Ms. Adams is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, an honorary international music fraternity for women, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she takes great pride in her role as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
