As a young violinist, Mr. Kersting was a student of Ingrid Gaston and Michael Neuman. He was one of the Yuba Sutter Symphony Young Artist soloists in 1991, and was a member of the Sacramento Youth Symphony. While attending UOP, Mr. Kersting studied violin performance with Dr. James Stern and music education with Dr. Ruth Brittin. Mr. Kersting is still an active violinist having played professionally with groups such as the Veridian Symphony Orchestra, North State Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Bear Valley Music Festival Orchestra, Gold Country Chamber Orchestra, and the Paradise Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Kersting has also performed with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Dave Brubeck, Olga Kern, and Michael W. Smith. Currently, he is in his 22nd year teaching strings for Yuba City Unified School District and is in his 21st year as director of the Yuba City High School Orchestra. Mr. Kersting lives in Yuba City with his wife and their four children.