Kourtney Crystal

Kourtney Crystal, BA

Adjunct Professor
Areas of Specialization - Musical Theatre, Singing for the Stage

“Kourtney’s voice soars and softens as it glides to heights nearly beyond belief.  She creates beautiful colors with her voice. Like a great artist, Kourtney paints innovative works of art with historic highlights and modern touches combined, creating a brilliant canvas of entrancing sound.” (Charles Sullivan, actor, lyric tenor)

A native of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and a nationally honored music collegian, Kourtney Crystal is a classically trained singer, dancer, choreographer, producer, songwriter and actress.  Having one of the most dynamic and versatile voices in the music business, Kourtney received her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (degree concentration in Music and Theatre) from the historically significant Bowie State University, followed by touring nationally, acting in many plays and stage shows.

Leading roles in shows like, “The Man of Her Dreams”, “Sophisticated Ladies”, “Soul Kittens Café” and “The Wiz” (as Dorothy, Glinda) highlight an extensive performance career portfolio.  In addition to radio and television commercial acting and singing, she has special performances at professional football and NBA games to her credit.  The Creative Director and Producer of the “Charles and Kourtney Show”, she has performed performing alongside the likes of Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Young & The Restless), Jackee Harry (227, Sister-Sister), Maurice Hines (Broadway actor, choreographer, dancer, musician), Anthony “AJ” Johnson (Players Club, Lethal Weapon III), Clifton Powell (Ray, Why Do Fools Fall In Love), and award-winning recording artists and songwriters Syleena Johnson, Shirley Murdock, Lil’ Mo, Angie Stone, Christopher Williams, Ruben Studdard (American Idol winner), and Ralph Tresvant (New Edition) just to name a few. She is the lead female actor on future HBO TV Series - Severus: The Black Caesar.

In addition to her career as an actress, Kourtney is a “Must See” live in concert.  Her stage presence is electrifying, and her shows are a can't-miss for any fan of nearly any style of music.

Recognized today as someone to watch on stage and in the vocal sound booth, along with her outstanding acting and choreographic work, to her credit are album and studio collaborations with Ruben Studdard, background vocal recordings for Lil Mo, Musiq Soulchild and Ralph Tresvant, a host of music video appearances (Dem Boyz (Lil’ Mo), Down South Music (Harlem X & Holloway), Where Does Love Go From Here (Ruff Endz), etc.) and personal recordings (“Hero”, “Leave Em Alone”, “L-O-V-E” (originally recorded by Nat King Cole), “Make It Rain”, “This Feelin” (on iTunes)”, “What Do You Want”, etc.)

Many have rated her acting as stellar, her dance routines captivating, and her vocal acrobatics, which are exquisite, as ones that you should witnessed at once.  Also known for her upper registers angelic sound, many have called Kourtney the modern “Voice of Perfection”, with vocal aerial performances that leave the hearer spell-bound.  Her rare, multi-octave vocal register that reaches into what is called "the whistle range” can be heard in her mesmerizing high-caliber recordings of songs like “Free” (originally recorded by Deniece Williams), “Loving You”, “Inside My Love” (originally recorded by Minnie Riperton), and “Emotions”, “Lead The Way”, and “Vision Of Love” (originally recorded by Mariah Carey).

Finally, CEO of Sugarhill Records, Leland Robinson, Sr., son of historic music moguls Joseph and Sylvia Robinson said, “Your beauty was made for the camera, and your voice was made to light up the sky like the stars.”  And, actor, jazz pianist and the former lead singer of the groups Silk and Blayse, Gary "Lil G" Jenkins in an interview said Kourtney’s acting is “artistic and highly creative” and that "there are very few individuals given talents like that.  Her acting is impeccable, and the tone of her voice is as beautiful in the low register as it is in the high register.  Everyone should see her act and hear her sing.”