Emily Crawford

Soprano Emily Crawford regularly performs throughout the Bay Area. Since moving to California in 2014 she auditioned and was accepted to participate in the Complete Package Performer opera boot camp under the direction of Susan Gundunas and several of her esteemed colleagues. Emily has sung with Phènix Opera Company (Laysister/Novice Suor Angelica) West Bay Opera (Chorus Eugene Onegin, Faust, and Mozart’s Entferüng aus dem Serail), and Marin Baroque (understudy to Dido Dido & Aeneas). She has sung with Classical Revolution in performances of Bach’s Kaffe Kantata and Glenn Gould’s So You Want to Write a Fugue? She has sung as both soloist and chorus member with the Bay Area Classical Harmonies performing Handel’s Messiah and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. As an SFSU student she has premiered roles like Carlos J. Gonzalez’s Hamlette as well as portrayed classic roles in Die Fledermaus (Adele) and La Finta Giardiniera (Serpetta).

Emily is currently attending San Francisco State University where she will earn her Master of Music. She attended Drew University in Madison, New Jersey earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She sang Belinda in Drew University’s first opera production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, as well as Donna Elvira in scenes from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. She also sang in the Madrigal Singers as its president, Drew Chorale, and University chorus.

Up to now, Emily has taught primarily as a Graduate assistant for choral groups, and a section leader for the SFSU Chamber Singers. While a student at Drew University, she served as section leader for both the Chamber choir, Madrigals group, and University Chorus. She’s excited to expand her teaching to one-on-one lessons here at Starland! In her studies, Emily has been trained in the Kodaly method.She’s excited to get you going on your musical journey!

Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see?

Cliche though it may be, I would love to meet Mozart and/or see him perform. Not only was he an amazing musician, but he composed particularly well for sopranos. (If we met, maybe he’d write me a little something).

Greatest Musical Influence?

Gosh that’s tough! There are so many. I grew up on a diet of Beatles, Sheryl Crow, and various Motown, but also choral music. I fell in love with Jerome Kern in high school, and Irving Berlin continues to be one of my favorites. Once the Classical bug bit me, my favorite artists were the opera singers of the 80s like Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman.

Any hidden talents besides music?

When I’m not singing, I’m sometimes painting, and I’ve tried my hand as a playwright on occasion. I’m also currently researching for a paper I’d like to write about the Lord of the Rings score just for funsies!

What did you want to be while you were growing up?

I used to want to be a farmer, cause I love animals. Then I wanted to be a jockey but I grew too tall!

If you could have any ‘Super Power’, which one would it be?

Telekinesis would be the most useful for me.

If you could master any other instrument which would it be?

I’d love to really master the piano. I can play well enough for rehearsals etc, but to truly master it would be a blessing.

Have you had what people would consider your “15 Minutes of Fame”, and if so when/what was that?

I grew up in a very small town, so I had some local fame in my hometown for giving a speech at my high school graduation. I’m also followed on Twitter my Seth MacFarlane, that feels like it counts.

It’s your last meal: What would it be?

Sushi!

You are sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it?

The Lord of the Rings Symphony. Gotta pick a long one right?

If you could leave one lesson with your students what would it be?
To sing with the voice you have. My best moments as a vocalist have been when I let go of expectations for sound and/or timbre.