Human connection is at the centre of my work. As a performer, I facilitate the link between emotion and the audience; as a teacher, I accompany students through a journey of self discovery and exploration of the world of sound, through the wonderful vehicle of expression and connection that flute is. Over the past few years I have felt the need to further explore creativity and connection through writing, recording and producing my own music and since 2021 I've turned my focus to composition (learn more about that here!)
Due to my ecclectic training (Music Teaching Degree, Specialising in Flute at Professional Music Conservatoire of Valencia; Accredited Level 3 Suzuki Flute Teacher -through the European Suzuki Association in England and Finland, plus studies with Kelly Williamson in Canada-; Higher Degree in Drama, Specialising in Performance at ESAD Valencia) and to my moving from my native Spain to London in 2003, I have enjoyed until now a rich and varied professional live, including orchestral experience, as a soloist, (The Angel Orchestra), in Chamber music (Siebenburgen Woodwind Quintett, Anima Flute and Piano), world music (Amaka, Melthem), folk (with Paul Young) and progressive rock (with Joshua Burnell). I have also worked in improvisation as a hospital clown (PayaSOSpital), in straight theatre (Sedos, Onatti Theatre Company), physical and devising theatre (Hayan Theatre Company), puppet theatre (Xarxa Teatre), site specific performance (Offstage Theatre) and Integrative Performance Practice (Experience Vocal Dance), across Spain, England, Scotland and Italy. Much of my theatre experience made good use of my musical skills, both playing and/or singing on stage, as well as writing some music for the shows on a few occasions.
Such a varied activity has allowed me to integrate knowledge derived from all of these performing disciplines and I have had the pleasure of being invited to teach Movement for Musicians and Stage Presence for Musicians Workshops both in Spain (TMJ, Valencia) and England (Suzuki Flute Summer School, Penzance); as well as flute master classes in England (Berkshire Suzuki Flute Group).
In 2008 I started the London Suzuki Flute Studio, teaching students whose ages ranged from 3 years old to mature students. The Studio's activities included, among others, weekly individual and group lessons, and regular concerts at the Royal Academy of Music (through the London Suzuki Group Recital Series), and at St John's Smith Square (in National Graduation Concerts).
In 2010 I had the honour of being invited to speak at the British Flute Society Convention, where I presented my speech 'The Suzuki Method, playing from the heart'. The following year, my article 'Learning through metaphor' was published on the Spring 2011 issue of 'Ability'. I've had the opportunity of teaching at the Bridge Academy and the Suzuki Hub in London, and it was my pleasure to organise the first International Suzuki Flute Teacher Exchange, in collaboration with the Suzuki Flute Studio of Berlin. Having established my studio in York in 2013, I gave several lectures on Suzuki Pedagogy in the new MA in Music: Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy at York University in 2015. In February 2018 I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Saem Stage in the organisation and teaching of a flute and piano holiday course in the beautiful rural setting of Huerta Grande, in southern Spain. I've also had the great pleasure of being part of York's local music scene, playing with Melthem, Paul Young, Joshua Burnell Gravel Walks and Anima Flute and Piano.
Since 2016 I write, record and produce my own music. In 2019 my song Today I'm Alive featured in the Music4Charity album Sound Minds (you can listen to it here). My first album With You to The Threshold was released on February 2020 with a Sound Installation I devised at the Friargate Theatre in York; and my second album Inner Music The Journey, created in partnership with Ana Fontecha, was released on May 2020. In 2021 I started exploring music for screen, with production music and scoring film and audio drama. In 2023 I was nominated for Best Score at L.A.s Indie X Film Fest for my work in Brayden Morin's Not Meant to Be. For more information visit www.cristinacrespomusic.com.