Faculty and Staff
Kristal Schwartz, Owner and Found since 2001
Harp, Piano, Voice, Music Education and more
West Valley College Professor: Biography
Kristal earned her Master's Degree in Performance with Honors from the esteemed San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2007. She boasts over two decades of exceptional coaching experience, guiding students to discover and refine their artistic voices. As an accomplished educator, harp entrepreneur, dynamic harp ensemble director, and sought-after freelance performer, she has accumulated over twenty-five years of distinguished achievements in both teaching and performance
Renowned for her unwavering dedication to her craft, Kristal is revered for her ability to cultivate excellence in her students by meticulously honing individual details that elevate performers to their highest potential. Witnessing her students achieve soaring success brings her immense joy. Kristal maintains a thriving private studio in the Bay Area, mentoring a diverse cohort of students ranging from beginners to professionals. Her students have showcased their talents at prestigious venues such as the 2018 and 2023 American Harp Society Institute, earned acceptance into SFCM Pre-College programs, and garnered accolades in competitions including the Yvonne La Mothe Schwager, ASTA, SJYS, and National Harp Competitions. Many of her proteges have pursued careers as professional harpists and majors and minors in harp.
Kristal annually presents a celebrated community harp outreach concert, showcasing her students in collaboration with esteemed musicians. In 2008, she initiated the pioneering K-12 harp program at Valley Christian Conservatory, advancing harp awareness across numerous schools - (Harp In Schools Project) From 2010 to 2015, Kristal played a pivotal role in the growth of San Jose Academy of Music, helping transform it into a prestigious institution renowned for piano, voice, and string education.
A visionary in harp education, Kristal is esteemed as the director and founder of the San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble. This pre-professional ensemble is celebrated for its groundbreaking performances, blending electric harp with traditional concepts. SJYS has performed be invited to perform on a national level at the 2018 AHS, 2023 AHS and 2023 MTAC conferences. Under Kristal’s leadership, the ensemble showcases her original arrangements of contemporary and electroacoustic harp ensemble pieces, alongside collaborative works by emerging composers and arrangers worldwide.
Harp, Piano, Voice, Music Education and more
West Valley College Professor: Biography
Kristal earned her Master's Degree in Performance with Honors from the esteemed San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2007. She boasts over two decades of exceptional coaching experience, guiding students to discover and refine their artistic voices. As an accomplished educator, harp entrepreneur, dynamic harp ensemble director, and sought-after freelance performer, she has accumulated over twenty-five years of distinguished achievements in both teaching and performance
Renowned for her unwavering dedication to her craft, Kristal is revered for her ability to cultivate excellence in her students by meticulously honing individual details that elevate performers to their highest potential. Witnessing her students achieve soaring success brings her immense joy. Kristal maintains a thriving private studio in the Bay Area, mentoring a diverse cohort of students ranging from beginners to professionals. Her students have showcased their talents at prestigious venues such as the 2018 and 2023 American Harp Society Institute, earned acceptance into SFCM Pre-College programs, and garnered accolades in competitions including the Yvonne La Mothe Schwager, ASTA, SJYS, and National Harp Competitions. Many of her proteges have pursued careers as professional harpists and majors and minors in harp.
Kristal annually presents a celebrated community harp outreach concert, showcasing her students in collaboration with esteemed musicians. In 2008, she initiated the pioneering K-12 harp program at Valley Christian Conservatory, advancing harp awareness across numerous schools - (Harp In Schools Project) From 2010 to 2015, Kristal played a pivotal role in the growth of San Jose Academy of Music, helping transform it into a prestigious institution renowned for piano, voice, and string education.
A visionary in harp education, Kristal is esteemed as the director and founder of the San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble. This pre-professional ensemble is celebrated for its groundbreaking performances, blending electric harp with traditional concepts. SJYS has performed be invited to perform on a national level at the 2018 AHS, 2023 AHS and 2023 MTAC conferences. Under Kristal’s leadership, the ensemble showcases her original arrangements of contemporary and electroacoustic harp ensemble pieces, alongside collaborative works by emerging composers and arrangers worldwide.
