making my way in the opera world one step at a time... new and archival blog entries since 2005

Monday, December 20, 2010

December 2010
Jarell receives classical singing award
 
SAN ANTONIO -- Crystal Jarrell received the George Cortes Special Prize in Classical Singing Award from the Artist Foundation of San Antonio on Nov. 18. The recipient of the award also receives $5000 in prize money.

“It’s a huge blessing,” says Jarrell. “I feel like God has been the  one to open doors for me in my singing career.

 
“He’s the one who gave the skills and talent and I know I could not do it without him.” Jarrell is a mezzosoprano classical vocalist and performs regularly in this area.


The award has been given yearly by the foundation since 2006 and last year, Jarrell was a finalist for the award. She grew up in San Antonio where her family was among some 
of the founding members of the Northwest Church of Christ.

She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music and Vocal Performance from Abilene Christian University. She received a Master’s Degree in Voice from Indiana University.

She is married to Richard Johnson (she maintains Jarrell as her stage name); both are active members in the Northwest congregation, volunteering to help in the youth ministry.
 
Jarrell has performed with the San Antonio Symphony and in other musical productions. She has a studio in San Antonio where she teaches voice to students who are at least 14 years old.
 
For more information on the voice programs offered by Crystal Jarrell, visit her website at
www.cjarrell.com. For more nformation on the award, to hear some
samples and read more about the inspiring career of Jarrell, visit www.artistfound.org.