Instrument/Department: Voice (soprano)
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2024
Dr. Crystal Y. Sellers Battle is the inaugural dean of equity and inclusion and the director of the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion in Music at the Eastman School of Music.
At The Ohio State University, where she earned her doctorate in voice performance, she was the first doctoral student to complete the Singing Health Specialist interdisciplinary graduate specialization. In that program, she studied medical tactics for repairing vocal injuries and rehabilitation of professional vocalists. Her DMA document is titled ‘I sing because I’m Free:’ Developing a Systematic Vocal Pedagogy for the Modern Gospel Singer.
Prior to her arrival at Eastman, Sellers Battle served as the chief diversity officer at Juniata College and served on the music faculty at Bluffton University where she also served as department chair.
Sellers Battle earned a postgraduate diploma from Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in voice performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Chicago, and Bowling Green State University, respectively.
She lives in the Rochester area with her husband Larry and daughter Carey.
Listen to an interview with Crystal on WXXI in advance of her September 2024 recital as part of the George Walker Center Recital Series.
More About Crystal Sellers Battle
Hometown: Columbus, OH
What inspires me: Kindness
Why the arts matter: The arts are a gateway, a bridge, and an opportunity to bring people together without saying a word.
Favorite things to do in Rochester area: Spend time at home cooking with my husband Larry and daughter Carey
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: At Eastman School of Music and more specifically the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion where I serve as director.
My favorite local restaurant: Seasonings Thai Bistro in Twelve Corners
Favorite place to travel: Anywhere warm on a cruise ship
Favorite style of music: neo-soul. I do love classical as well!
What people would be surprised to know about me: I never learned to ride a bike.