Violin & Piano Lessons with Crystal C.

Crystal C. is a violinist and performer who loves sharing her passion for music with both her community and her students. She began studying the violin at the age of three using the Suzuki Method. During her childhood, she was recruited into several youth orchestras—including her local junior high orchestra well before meeting the age requirement—along with her high school orchestra and the National Chinese North American Youth Orchestra. She also competed in multiple state competitions, earning honors and awards, including recognition at the Carbondale University Music Competition. In addition to violin, Crystal studied piano privately for several years during her early training.

Crystal is well-versed in a variety of musical genres and has extensive experience in solo, orchestral, chamber, and fiddle music. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied with Violaine Melançon of the Peabody Trio. Her coursework included ear training, solfège, Bach composition, jazz improvisation, Baroque performance, music history, and orchestral excerpts. During the summers, she attended prestigious festivals such as Yellow Barn and the National Orchestral Institute (NOI). Although she transferred from Cornell University, Crystal graduated as Valedictorian from Peabody in just three years. Her studies at both institutions also included intensive piano training.

She went on to earn her Master of Music degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she held a quartet assistantship. During this time, she was coached by the Takács Quartet, Judith Glyde, and Erika Eckert. Her quartet performed at various social functions both on and off campus. At CU Boulder, she studied with Jennifer John and Oswald Lehnert and participated in graduate-level competitions. She also continued her summer studies at the Aspen Music Festival and attended an intensive chamber music program with the Takács Quartet.

Crystal has been teaching since 2009. While living in the Bay Area, she taught at organizations such as Mill Valley Parks and Recreation, The Magic Flute, Artis School of Music, and ELM (Enriching Lives Through Music). She also served as Principal Second Violinist of the Mill Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, where she led sectional rehearsals, and taught group classes at the high school level. After returning to Colorado, she has performed both as a soloist and as a member of a band at venues including the Keystone Beer and Music Festival, Zuni Street Brewery, Frasier Meadows, and Balfour. She is currently on the faculty at Parlando School of Musical Arts, assists with Fairview High School’s orchestras, and volunteers as a musician at a local hospital.

In her free time, Crystal enjoys practicing and learning new fiddle tunes, particularly Irish, Scottish, and bluegrass styles. She frequently attends local jam sessions and embraces a wide range of musical traditions. Crystal believes that teaching extends beyond music instruction—it is a multifaceted endeavor that requires emotional awareness, empathy, and creativity. She values building meaningful connections with her students and is passionate about using music as a powerful tool for communication and expression. She looks forward to sharing her love of music with you.