Universal City, CA Improv Acting Lessons

ty world premiers and re-imagined classics. Most notably she played the lead role of Keely Smith in the big band jazz musical “Louis and Keely: Live At The Sahara” during its eight-month run at Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse. She also formed her own rock band, The Honeysuckle Jones Revival, with whom she performed her own songs all over Los Angeles. And she began working as a studio session vocalist, providing demo vocals for other songwriters, as well as arranging and performing back-up vocals for original artists, including Laura Roppe (currently in the Top Ten on Billboard’s Uncharted list of emerging artists.) Crystal played the lead role of Brooke in the new operatic rock musical “The Burning Opera LA” during its Los Angeles run in 2011 as well as providing ensemble vocals and playing piano and bass. She also performs holiday tunes from the Golden Age of American songwriting with musical quartet The Sleigh Belles.

Crystal believes that music is serious business but that it should be fun. She encourages her students to play music they love, as well as expanding their musical knowledge. She is a firm believer in basics first and emphasizes theory and technique as the tools to support creativity and provide freedom, power and control. She believes effort beats talent every time and the student who practices consistently will see results, whatever their level of ability. Most of all, she believes we were all born to make music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lesson structure varies depending on the student's instrument, age, level of experience and musical style. However, all lessons focus on:

Technique
Music theory
Performance style

After 3 or 6 months of consistent lesson attendance and practice, students will have a clear understanding of how their instrument works and how to care for it. They will be able to read basic music notation. They will be working toward clearly defined musical goals and they will have at least three performance pieces learned.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Loft Space: full size electric piano with weighted keys, small digital recorder, microphone, Garage Band, parents can sit in on lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring a small keyboard for vocal students with no piano, karaoke tracks and a digital recorder. I also bring a selection of games. Students are expected to purchase all necessary books and sheet music.

*** Specialties ***
Young beginners (piano)

ished Writer and Music Writer

Professional Background

Private Voice, Piano and Acting 1/89 to present
Teaching and Coaching
Individual and small group instruction in vocal and/or piano technique, including piano chording technique and instruction over all musical styles, including all ages.
Acting coaching for monologue preparation, scene and character development. All instruction is personalized/customized to the student's needs. Includes audition preparation, vocal techniques for therapeutic needs, and overall instruction in wellness practices for artistic longevity. Includes warm-up exercises as well as performance development, demeanor, and execution. Emphasis on creating and strengthening positive habits as opposed to negative discipline. Personal, professional, practical.

Huckleberry Creative Learning Center 9/07 to present
Teacher
Classes in Singing, Music and Art Education, Cooking, Geology, Theater, History, Reading/Grammar, and Crafts
- created Custom curriculum for specific classes
- Taught to California Standards

Vibe Performing Arts Studios 8/08 to present
Instructor
Private and Class Instruction in Piano, Voice, as well as Special Needs Classes

Risen Son Productions/R. Enterprises, Inc. 1/89 to 2007
Co-Owner
Production, Marketing, Manufacturing and Sales of Internationally marketed goods
Composer and artist of finished musical products
Booking of Concert Appearances
Teacher and Motivational Seminar Speaker
Speech Writer
My husband Rick and I toured the World with our Praise and Worship concerts and speaking engagements

Headline Performer/Background Vocalist/Booking Agent 9/79-12/88
Vocalist to US Presidents Carter, Reagan, and Bush
Annie on Broadway, N. Y. Grace Farrell
Singer/ Dancer/ Lead Performer
Various Summer Stock performances touring the eastern seaboard:
The Music Man, My Fair Lady, On a Clear Day, Fiddler on the Roof,
Funny Girl, Hello Dolly
Did a command performance for King Olaf of Norway in Godspell
Cabaret - Sally Bowles lead performer - Atlanta, GA
Booking Agent for Mike Hein Agency, formerly of Ray Bloch Agency
Worked world-wide as soloist and background vocalist for internationally renowned artists (i.e. Placido Domingo, Julio Iglesias, Charles Aznevour, etc)
Performed at international sites (i.e. Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Paris Opera, etc)
Performed solo show in Grande Palais in Monte Carlo - Main Stage
Royal Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - Head Liner
Cathy Baker Show

Choir Director Experience:
Hand Bell Choir Ash Street Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
Children's 6-9 Choir Ash Street Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
Children's 6-9 Choir The Church on the Way Van Nuys, CA

Theater Direction:
Robin Hood Revisited (a short play I adapted for Elementary Students)
The Bard is Back (modern version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Cindy (A Musical I wrote based on the Cinderella legend, featuring Beatles (Music)

Education:
Utah State University - Secondary BS in Communication Disorders
National University - MS in Special Education
Georgia State University - BA in Advertising and Public Relations, Minors in Music, History, and Geology

Vocal Instruction:
Joseph Amayo University of Georgia
Florence Kopplef Georgia State University
Andrew Terry Atlanta, Georgia
Robert Strickland New York, New York

Additional Skills/Interests: Show dance including jazz, some ballet, tap, and modern; piano accompanying; sky diving; bike riding; gardening; teaching reading and writing, as well as working with students who have speech and language disabilities; and multiple philanthropic/church involvement and activities, including handi-crafts creations.

Miscellaneous: Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Powerpoint

*** Lesson Details ***
Every lesson is customized to the specific needs of each student. Each lesson includes work on vocal essentials like breathing, hydration, and anatomy, as well as technique, work on specific, student-chosen songs, vocal and physical exercises, performance tips, music theory. Fun but educational!

*** Specialties ***
Voice in all Styles from Pop to Rock to Country to Classical; Vocal Performance in all styles; Music Theory; Piano, including Sight-Reading and Chord Theory; Theatrical and Acting Coaching: Audition Preparation; Song and Music Preparation; College Audition Prep; Resume Preparation; Vocal Breathing Techniques; Reading; Composition; Special Education Tutoring.
Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary Academic Tutoring in English, Grammar, Composition, History, Social Studies, Earth Science, Music and Art History

McIntyre at the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles.

cter development.

Acting is a passion of mine and I would love to help you break out of their shell and develop a passion for the art form in the same way that my teachers and mentors did for me.

I look forward to meeting you!
-Kirstie