
Lesson Details
Speaking Voice
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate
Crystal teaches

About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5 to 90
- Teaching since:
- May 2003
Crystal brings a lifetime’s experience of professional musicianship to each of her lessons. Born into a family of musicians, she sang her first solo at age 2. She also benefits her students with an extraordinarily diverse musical background, having worked as a vocalist in gospel, country, musical theater, jazz, classical, rock, pop and soul styles. Her performing career has taken her from L.A. church meetings to London’s Houses of Parliament.
Crystal hails originally from Los Angeles, CA - where her musical parents gave her a head start by including her in the family business the moment she was able to contribute. She went on to study classical voice, piano and music theory at The Boston Conservatory of Music. After concluding her studies in London, she returned home and began working regularly as a theater performer, appearing in twenty 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)
Experience
Introductory Music Teacher
Feb 2016 - PresentI teach the kindergarten and 1st grade curriculum for this Music In the School program.
Piano Teacher
Jan 2014 - PresentI teach beginning through intermediate piano students.
Instructor/Course Designer
Sep 2013 - PresentI wrote and teach this innovative classroom course for grades K-12. Part theater workshop, part lecture/discussion and part role-playing game, Shakespeare For Kids immerses students in the life and times of Shakespeare and makes the words come to life, while helping students develop the soft skills necessary for workplace success.
+ Read MoreInstructor/Co-Owner
May 2013 - PresentI co-founded this company which provides early childhood music education for ages 0-5. I design curriculum, teach Mommy and Me, daycare and pre-school classes, and provide party entertainment for kids.
Music Teacher
Aug 2014 - May 2015I taught general music to elementary school students with an emphasis on the Orff Schulwerk approach.
Director of Little Wing
May 2014 - Feb 2015I operated School of Rock's early childhood program with its focus on rock and soul music. Ages 3-6.
Instructor/Curriculum Designer
Feb 2010 - Mar 2011Innovative music through literacy program for grades 3-6. I taught it and wrote new curriculum to state standards.
Performer
Apr 2010 - Nov 2010I provided vocals and shadow work, as well as playing piano and bass during this sold-out musical's Los Angeles run.
Performer
Feb 2009 - Nov 2009I played the lead role of Keely Smith during this smash hit's 8-month run at Westwood's Geffen Playhouse, under the direction of Taylor Hackford.
Education
BA Acting
Oct 1993 - May 1996Languages
English
Certifications
Orff Schulwerk Level 1
Jul 2014Awards
The Herb Alpert Award
Jun 1991Affiliations
Music Teachers National Association
Jun 2014The MTNA was founded in 1876 with the goal of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. With nearly 22,000 members in 50 states—and more than 500 local affiliates—the MTNA is the preeminent source for music teacher support, where members embody like-minded values and commitment to their students, colleagues and society as a whole, while reaping the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.
+ Read MoreActors' Equity Association
Mar 2009Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 49,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.
+ Read MoreAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Aug 2004The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 480,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.
Photos & Videos
7 Reviews
Write a ReviewLove how she teaches the mechanics of learning to sing properly such as breathing correctly and posture right from the start for a beginner. Fantastic instructor!
Great piano instructor
Crystal is an amazing piano instructor. She is patient, understanding and dedicated. My daughter has learned so much from her. My daughterâs love for music has increased immensely since learning how to play the piano. This would never have been able to be accomplished without Crystalâs professional and caring teaching style.
Amazing singng instructor
Crystal has increased my daughterâs self-esteem and expressiveness through song. My daughter is now writing her own poetry and song lyrics, as well as being able to combat her once shyness quality. She loves to perform in front of others now and has a confidence level that amazes me, especially now that she is going into those âteenâ years. I think a lot of thanks needs to go to Crystal, for assisting my daughter in reaching her current creative level!
Wonderful person and excellent instruction
I have been taking lessons from Crystal for a few months now. I took lessons from others before I moved to the area, and I have had multiple new breakthroughs with Crystal. She is great at finding the language that allows me to understand adjustments, and is very patient and understanding. I was at ease from the first moment I met her. I highly recommend her to other adults looking to get into singing of any kind!
This product has great features and they are very friedly and helpful.
She is very friendly, even though, she is not always on time. She has a very positive attitude and teaches for the required time and not a minute more. I wish she take time to get to know her students in order to personalize her teaching. I also wish she would have some sort of constructive criticism rather than always say that my child "is doing good."
My lessons are going great. I love the one on one time I'm getting with my teacher. There are nothing, but positive vibes during lessons. I'm extremely happy with this class :)-Nikki.
Very good piano teacher; especially for kids
I apologize for sending my feedback late.Post returning to India I had some catch-up to do.Overall feedback for Ms Crystal is that she is a great piano teacher and Abhishek learnt a lot in the short time he was a student with her.Specific postive feedback for Ms Crystal include: 1) The objectives set with Ms Crystal upfront in focusing on theory and technique were met.2) She was able to engage Abhsihek he, used to read the book and talk about is lesons at the hotel room in LA, and listen to the CD.3) Abhsihsek made significant progress (his teacher in India is very happy with his progress) Unfortunately as already communicated upfront, our trip to La was only for a few weeks, so we had to discontinue lessons post Nov 14.Even though I could only attend one class of Abhishek with Ms Crystal I would like to share my thoughts on a possible opportunities for improvement:1) she is sometime too kind to the kid and gives too much leeway. She may need to be strciter with some kids to keep his attention focused on the work. Abhishek is a little difficult in terms of short attention span, so in his case, she could have been firmer with the child.Overall it was a great experience and I wish Ms Crystal luck and success in her field.Thanks,smita Sahatpure