Crystal Galloway

Crystal has always loved music.  As a child she always wanted to learn to play oboe, but in sixth grade the band director of Preston Junior High, Tom Nelson, would not allow students to play oboe unless they played clarinet or flute first.  Mr. Nelson encouraged her to practice and become really good on the clarinet and then she could play oboe.  Crystal practiced daily, many hours to be able to switch to oboe.  The next year Mr. Nelson told her she had become too good on clarinet to switch, and that choice was fine with her.  She had fallen in love with clarinet.

The love continued throughout middle school and high school where she excelled being selected for many honor bands, in particular All-State Band.  Crystal also participated in solo festivals always scoring top scores and placing at state.  Crystal also placed in the prestigious Bennett Cup.  During high school Crystal was asked by Mr. Nelson to teach clarinet lessons.  This helped to pay for some of her other interests and high school activities.

After high school Crystal studied Music and Physical Education at Idaho State University where she played clarinet in many bands and Ensembles: Clarinet Choir, Idaho State Civic Symphony, ISU Wind Ensemble, ISU symphonic band, Pocatello City Band, among others.  During time away from Idaho State University she also played for the band at Utah State University, under the direction of Nick Morrison.  Crystal studied clarinet under Dr. Nick Morrison, Dr. Alan Stank, and Dr. John Masserinin, and Misty Esplin, all who have strongly influenced her style of teaching.  Crystal was able to play a clarinet solo during her university career at the National Music Educators Association, as first chair of the Idaho State University Wind Ensemble.  During her time at Idaho State University she continued to play clarinet in the Pocatello City Band and teach clarinet lessons to members of the community, and discovered a natural talent for helping others learn to play clarinet.

Upon graduation in 2005 Crystal worked full-time as a developmental specialist and taught clarinet lessons in her home in Pocatello, Idaho until she moved to Soda Springs, Idaho in 2014, teaching clarinet lessons for 19 years. In Soda Springs, Crystal has played in the community orchestra and been the choir director for church choirs. She can’t wait to teach clarinet again.  

Other activities and interests of Crystal include spending time with her 4 children and husband, anything outdoors, especially running, camping, and fishing, she loves sports and particularly loves coaching sports and coaches track and field for Tigert Middle school.   True-crime and ice-cream are her two guilty pleasures.