Elizabeth Crawford is Professor of Bassoon at Brigham Young University - Idaho. She teaches a dynamic studio of student bassoonists in addition to courses in music technology and chamber music. When not busy with her students, you can find her developing content for her website bassoonwithaview.com and her YouTube channel by the same name.
Originally from western New York, Elizabeth began her formal education on piano and bassoon in the Eastman School of Music preparatory division. She went on to finish high school at Interlochen Arts Academy, a student of Barrick Stees. Elizabeth completed her undergraduate degree in performance from Manhattan School of Music, a student of Whitney Crockett. She received her graduate degree from the University of Utah, a student of Lori Wike.
Elizabeth served as a bassoonist and vocalist in the United States Army Band program for 14 years, performing for audiences all over the U.S. and in South Korea. Later, as a Salt Lake City based musician, Elizabeth co-founded and served as a board member for the Utah Wind Symphony, a select ensemble of professional wind and percussion players. With that organization she created an annual scholarship competition awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to student musicians.
Elizabeth spent four years as principal bassoonist of the Great Falls Symphony, Chinook Winds Quintet, and the Billings Symphony. As a member of the Chinook Winds Quintet, Elizabeth wrote and performed in hundreds of educational programs, formal chamber music concerts, masterclasses, band clinics, and outreach events. During her tenure with the Chinook Winds Quintet, and due to her efforts in fundraising, publicity, social media, and community engagement, the Chinook Winds were selected to present at the International Double Reed Society annual conference and the International Horn Symposium. The Chinook Winds were also selected for, and filmed a 60-minute episode of the Emmy-winning Montana PBS show, 11th and Grant with Eric Funk.
In addition to the Prismatic Winds (BYU-Idaho's faculty wind quintet), Elizabeth performs with the Women of the chamber music collective, The Ladies' Reeding Society. She is passionate about promoting the careers of Women musicians and living composers with projects constantly in development. Elizabeth has been part of many original commissions to include works by: Jenni Brandon, Alyssa Morris, Kari Medina, Roma Cafolla, and more. Elizabeth has been invited to present at conferences for the International Double Reed Society (2015, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), International Horn Symposium (2015), ClarinetFest® (2021, 2024), Meg Quigley Symposium (2024) and the SHE Festival (2024).