POWER PROFILE: Crystal Drake

Sponsored By Alabama Power

For 23 years, Crystal Drake has shared her love and passion for music with her students. Her unconventional teaching style allows her to utilize creative approaches to capture the interest and meet the needs of the diverse student population that she services.

Crystal is a graduate of Talladega College, where she studied music education and classical piano. She has played across the country, most notably touring as a student accompanist with the historic Talladega College Choir before graduating in 2000. She completed her Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University and completed her EdD coursework and research at Walden University. Her research interest is the integration of music into the curriculum to enhance literacy skills for elementary students. Also, she completed Orff-Schulwerk certification from Samford University. She is a Fine Arts Lead Teacher in Birmingham City Schools and is a regular local and state presenter for numerous workshops where she shares STEM-related music lessons.

Crystal has written numerous vocal arrangements for local children's choir festivals and has served as both an accompanist and choral conductor for the Birmingham City School District's All-City Christmas Music Festival. She currently serves as the K-5 General Music Teacher and director of the choir and choir chime ensembles at Glen Iris Elementary School in Birmingham, Alabama. She is passionate about sharing the unbridled joy of music-making with her students.

Crystal has three beautiful children, William, Madison and Melanie.