Accompanist Crystal Forbes received her undergraduate degrees from DePaul University in Piano Performance and Music Education and returned to DePaul to complete her graduate degree in Music Education. Her accompanying experience began when her junior high choral director put her at the piano at age 12. At 16, Crystal became the pianist at West Suburban Baptist Church, and worked as primary accompanist at the Institute of Voice Science in Oak Park from 1984-1986. Crystal has been on the faculty of Franklin Middle School in Wheaton since 1986, teaching Interrelated Arts and directing three choral groups, in addition to teaching English, Social Studies, and Exploring Foreign Cultures. At Franklin, she has coordinated the Interrelated Arts Department since 1988, has directed musicals including The Fantasticks and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and currently serves as Fine Arts Team Leader. Over a period of 24 years, Crystal has taught hundreds of piano students, and is presently active at Grace Bible Church playing two services on Sundays and acting as their Vacation Bible School Music Director. She is also member of the Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, having functioned for five years as American History Committee Chair and currently serving as Co-Chaplain. Crystal lives in Elmhurst with her husband and two daughters.