Karl Chang, President and Conductor
Dr. Karl Chang (張智真博士) is the co-founder and serves as the president and conductor of Crystal Children’s Choir since 1994. Under his leadership, the choir has received invitations to perform at many National and International choral conventions and was recognized for its outstanding performance of repertoire rich in cultural diversity. Dr. Chang co-conducted the choir at the National and Divisional ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conferences eight times and presented at the ACDA Interest Sessions. In 2014, Dr. Chang was invited as the Conductor of ACDA National Youth Honor Choir and appeared as a Guest Conductor of Carnegie Hall in 2015. Dr. Chang is also active in the choral field across Asia as a clinician and guest conductor for youth and collegiate choirs.
Dr. Chang founded and conducted Ching Ching Chorus, a renowned 160-voice choir since 1981, and he continues to inspire people and help develop their love for singing. With a Doctor Degree of Education Leadership, he also earned an MBA and an M.S. in engineering. However, his passion and dedication for choral music have led him to pursue his lifelong dream of children’s music education.
Jenny Chiang, Artistic Director
Jenny Chiang (姜靜芬) was born and raised in Taiwan. She received her early music education from Professor Chuan-Sheng Lu, a composer famously known as the “Father of Children’s Choral Music” in Taiwan. Ms. Chiang co-founded Crystal Children’s Choir in 1994 and has served as Artistic Director ever since. In the summer of 2000 and the spring of 2005, she studied choral conducting with Dr. Charlene Archibeque at San Jose State University.
Some notable awards and performances with Crystal Choir include a Grand Champion award at the 9th International Youth Choral Festival in Portland, Oregon 1998; five ACDA Conferences (Western Division 2002, 2006, 2010, Northwestern Division 2010, and National 2007); three CMEA Conventions (2001, 2002, and 2004); OAKE Conference (2004); a Gold Medal award at the Australian International Music Festival (2004); and MENC (2006). Ms. Chiang also was invited to conduct a workshop at the 2002 CMEA and ACDA Conferences in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Board Memer
Board Memer
Mrs. Jane Li (鄭郁英) is the Vice President and Director of South Group. She was previously the Director of North Group (from 2006 until 2010) and has been the Director of South Group since 2000.
She became an administrative teacher in 1997 to coordinate performance props, crystal publications, uniforms, and various other items. Her children began singing with the then-newly established East Group in 1995, and her love for music and education has led her to become increasingly involved in Crystal. Before coming to the US, she was the Operations Manager for the International Trading Corporation in Taiwan.
Ying Wu (包英華) received her BA degree in Taiwan and MS degree in the US and worked as a software analyst in the software industry. Her software career was interrupted when her daughter came to her life. She started volunteering in schools and communities while taking care of her family. She has been involved in Crystal Choir since the establishment of the East Group in Milpitas 1995. Her love of music and the opportunities to learn and grow with other teachers and the talented choristers keep her continue serving the organization.
Diana Lin, Concert Group Director
Diana Lin (林慧文) received both her bachelor degrees in Mathematics and Accounting, a Master degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance Accounting, and performed duties as a Finance Controller for various tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Ms. Lin joined Crystal Choir in 1996. She started as a piano accompanist for Rainbow and Primary levels and was responsible for accounting, Finance, and Crystal’s website/social media. Ms. Lin served as Program Director for the International Choral Workshop at Stanford University from 2010 to 2019. In January 2014, she became the Group Director for North Group in Foster City and worked to promote choral music education in the peninsula bay area for Crystal Choir. In 2022, she took on the Group Director responsibility for Concert Group and continues to serve the Crystal community.
Diana Lin (林慧文) received both her bachelor degrees in Mathematics and Accounting, a Master degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance Accounting, and performed duties as a Finance Controller for various tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Ms. Lin joined Crystal Choir in 1996. She started as a piano accompanist for Rainbow and Primary levels and was responsible for accounting, Finance, and Crystal’s website/social media. Ms. Lin served as Program Director for the International Choral Workshop at Stanford University from 2010 to 2019. In January 2014, she became the Group Director for North Group in Foster City and worked to promote choral music education in the peninsula bay area for Crystal Choir. In 2022, she took on the Group Director responsibility for Concert Group and continues to serve the Crystal community.
Dr. Karl Chang (張智真博士) is the co-founder and serves as the president and conductor of Crystal Children’s Choir since 1994. Under his leadership, the choir has received invitations to perform at many National and International choral conventions and was recognized for its outstanding performance of repertoire rich in cultural diversity. Dr. Chang co-conducted the choir at the National and Divisional ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conferences eight times and presented at the ACDA Interest Sessions. In 2014, Dr. Chang was invited as the Conductor of ACDA National Youth Honor Choir and appeared as a Guest Conductor of Carnegie Hall in 2015. Dr. Chang is also active in the choral field across Asia as a clinician and guest conductor for youth and collegiate choirs.
Dr. Chang founded and conducted Ching Ching Chorus, a renowned 160-voice choir since 1981, and he continues to inspire people and help develop their love for singing. With a Doctor Degree of Education Leadership, he also earned an MBA and an M.S. in engineering. However, his passion and dedication for choral music have led him to pursue his lifelong dream of children’s music education.
Conductor for East Group level I
Jenny Chiang (姜靜芬) was born and raised in Taiwan. She received her early music education from Professor Chuan-Sheng Lu, a composer famously known as the “Father of Children’s Choral Music” in Taiwan. Ms. Chiang co-founded Crystal Children’s Choir in 1994 and has served as Artistic Director ever since. In the summer of 2000 and the spring of 2005, she studied choral conducting with Dr. Charlene Archibeque at San Jose State University.
Some notable awards and performances with Crystal Choir include a Grand Champion award at the 9th International Youth Choral Festival in Portland, Oregon 1998; five ACDA Conferences (Western Division 2002, 2006, 2010, Northwestern Division 2010, and National 2007); three CMEA Conventions (2001, 2002, and 2004); OAKE Conference (2004); a Gold Medal award at the Australian International Music Festival (2004); and MENC (2006). Ms. Chiang also was invited to conduct a workshop at the 2002 CMEA and ACDA Conferences in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Miao Shan Hong Hsieh (洪妙珊), a native of Taiwan, holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Tung-Hai University in Taichung, Taiwan. She also completed studies at Musik Hochschule in Wien, Austria, and Manes School for Music in New York.
Miao Shan maintains a private piano studio in the Bay Area, where she gives piano as well as singing lessons. She has also been the conductor of the Christ Choir of the Chinese Church for many years. Prior to this, she had shown her talents by conducting the South Bay Chinese Orchestra for five years. Currently, Miao Shan is actively involved in the local musical community to promote general music awareness as well as education in children’s choral music.
She served as Vice President of the CMTANC in 2001. During the course of her career, she has led Crystal Children’s Choir, the group she has had for years, to win multiple prizes. In 2005, the Choir received the highest honor awarded at the San Diego Heritage Music Festival.
Whitney Huang (黃君郡) currently conducts Level 3 in Crystal Children’s Choir.
Huang holds a Master of Arts in Music from California State University East Bay and is passionate about advocating for the music education of all ages. She has conducted the East Bay Singers university chamber group, the WSingers treble voice ensemble, and elementary students in levels 1 through 4 at Crystal Choir.
Whitney Huang is also an alumna of Crystal Choir. She sang with Crystal for 13 years and, during that time, performed in ACDA conventions in 2002 Hawaii, 2006 Salt Lake City, and 2007 Miami. Most recently, Whitney Huang recorded the world premiere of Susan Nace’s “won’t you celebrate with me” – a song depicting the condition of being a non-woman and celebrating her triumph through adversity.
Chiafen Lin (林嘉芬) is the Director of Crystal School and has over 20 years of experience directing Preparatory, Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels in Crystal Choir. Her contributions include multi-level curricula which are extensively used by Crystal Choir. Chiafen holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and completed some Doctoral work at the same institution. As a life-long educator, she designs and leads children’s music programs for public and private schools throughout the Bay Area.
Stella Lin (林心欣) has been with Crystal Choir since 1998 and has conducted various choir levels from Preparatory to Concert Choir. Throughout her time conducting, she has led singers and received prestigious awards at music festivals in Anaheim, Denver, Michigan, and New York. Globally, she has had the opportunity to led the Concert Choir to International Choral Kathaumixw in Canada, Concert Tour in Taiwan, and Advent Sing in Austria.
Beyond Crystal Choir, Stella holds a Music for the Minor certificate and teaches elementary school music programs in the South Bay. She is a FCSN music teacher and also serves as a guest conductor for various workshops and music camps throughout the year.
Tammy Lo (羅亭美) has been playing the piano ever since she was 3-years-old. At the age of 7, she joined Crystal Children’s Choir as a chorister. After graduating from high school in 2008, she attended the University of California, Los Angeles as a Music Education Major to continue her passion for music. After graduating, she decided to come back to Crystal Children’s Choir to spread what she earned as a chorister, the love of music.
Tammy currently has a private piano studio in the Bay Area where she gives piano lessons. She also is the piano accompanist for Lynbrook High School Choirs and also the Stocklmeir Chorus.
She currently conducts Preparatory level and piano accompanies Intermediate level.
Ken Rawdon was the vocal music director at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, California for 28 years, serving from 1989-2017.
He received his BA and his MA degrees in piano performance at California State University, Fresno. While working on his master’s degree in 1986, he discovered his love of choral music singing in the Concert Choir at Fresno State. He describes the experience as “like seeing color for the first time.
Over the years, under the leadership of Mr. Rawdon, the Mt. Eden High School Vocal Music program expanded from one small choir of about 15 to a program today that encompasses about 140 students in 6 different choirs. The vocal music program at Mt. Eden High School has consistently been named one of the top ten in the state of California since the early 2000’s. His choirs have performed numerous times at ACDA Conferences & Conventions and CMEA Conferences. They have performed several times at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center and have appeared with the Oakland Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony.
After 28 years of teaching at Mt. Eden High School, Mr. Rawdon remains active as a choral clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout the state of California. He has served on the board of directors for the California Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 1996 he received the “Teacher of the Year” award from the public schools observance committee in Hayward. In 1997 the Harvard University Alumni Club of San Francisco named him “Educator of the Year.” In December of 2002 he was named educator of the year by the Hayward Education Association. He is also a member of “Who’s Who among American Educators.” In March of 2004 he was selected as “Educator of the Year” by the Hayward Chamber Of Commerce. In September of 2008 he was awarded the Alameda Arts Commission award for arts educator of the year. In January of 2012 he was awarded the “Music Educator of the Year” award by the Bay section chapter of the California Music Educators Association. In October of 2017 he was presented the John Pappas Humanitarian Award by the city of Hayward.
Lydia Wang (王雅寬)
With love and passion, Ms. Wang has been teaching children piano and singing for more than 16 years in the Bay Area. She has been with Crystal Children Choir for 8 years. She has her Music for minors teacher training certificate, Music for young children, and Orff level I certification. Ms. Wang holds her M.A. in Voice Performance from San Jose State University, and B.A. in Music Education from California State University, Fullerton.
Karen Tseng (曾筱晴) is an alumna of Crystal Choir who sang with us for 12 years. She has always been passionate about music and working with kids, and has returned to teach Crystal School.
Karen holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is currently an elementary school teacher. She started and taught a music program at an elementary school in San Diego in 2018. Since then, she has also taught preschool and worked at many different summer camps and Crystal music camp.
Angela Chang (張琬琪) was born in Taiwan. She began learning piano from 6 years old, and once awarded a performance certificate at grade 6thby Kawai Grade Recognition Committee. After receives an MBA degree from SUNY Buffalo, Angela moved to Bay Area in 2017. She first joined Ching Ching Chorus as an accompanist in 2019. Because of the love for music and opportunities, she joined Crystal Choir after one year.
Shu-hua Cheng (鄭淑華) has been a collaborative pianist for Crystal Children’s Choir since 2005 and has performed with Crystal Choir in venues including Carnegie Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and music festivals and concerts throughout the United States and internationally, such as Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Chicago, and in Canada, China, and Taiwan. Ms. Cheng is also an active chamber musician and dedicated piano instructor who truly enjoys helping young musicians develop their musicality. She regularly performs and coaches solo instrumentalists (strings, woodwinds, singers, etc.) in recitals, competitions, and music exams.
Ms. Cheng holds a Master’s Degree in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she majored in piano performance and also studied harpsichord and organ.
Born in Taiwan, pianist Claire Ting-Tzu Chiu has performed frequently as a professional collaborative pianist in the United States and Taiwan. Claire completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano at the University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Anne Epperson and Colette Valentine. Dr. Chiu is currently in demand as a collaborative pianist in the bay area for accomplished musicians and festivals. From 2018 she joined the faculty at Stratford School and Crystal Choir.
Anna Lin (林咏雪), Concert Choir accompanist, graduated with highest honors from the National Taiwan University of Arts in 1980 majoring in Piano and was the piano concerto competition winner that same year. She also holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music from SUNY at Stony Brook. After moving to California in 1991, she became an active member of MTAC and CMTANC. From 1999-2003, she was the chairperson for Certificate of Merit in MTAC and the chair of CMTANC Youth Music Competition in 2007 and 2008. Since joining Crystal in 1995 as an accompanist, she has coordinated Concert Choir Music Camp since 2004 and conducted Primary Level chorus in 2003.
Chesley Mok graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and received a Master of Music at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying Collaborative Piano with Timothy Bach. A diverse pianist, Chesley works with both vocalists and instrumentalists across a wide range of genres, including championing new music written by her colleagues and the classical repertory. A Bay Area native, Chesley has performed with many local organizations including the El Camino Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony, and the Crystal Children’s Choir. Currently, she is also the pianist for the SF Girls Chorus Premier Ensemble. Aside from her collaborative work, Chesley also enjoys teaching piano and violin to youth across the Bay Area.
Carina (胡愷寧）graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a minor in Piano Pedagogy and received her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland. She is the General Manager at Melody Academy of Music, and sits on the Board of Directors for East Bay Music Foundation.
In her spare time, Carina enjoys arts and crafts, tinkering with mechanical keyboards, baking goodies, and cooking for her family and friends.
Carina is an alumna of Crystal Children’s Choir.
