Philip Todd Crawford
About
Hello! My name is Phil, and I’m a passionate music educator and performer with years of experience in teaching, band directing, and mentoring musicians of all ages. My background spans instrumental and vocal instruction, with several of my own albums released in the marketplace.
I’ve had the pleasure of directing high school choral programs and musical productions, including Godspell, A Christmas Carol, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. My primary instruments are percussion, piano, and voice, and I specialize in working with beginner to intermediate students—both young and young at heart!
In addition to teaching, I’m well-versed in music production, with extensive experience using Logic Pro X and Ableton. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a Church Music emphasis from Florida State University, class of 2002. Schedule some time with me and let's make music!
Teaching Style
With my experience, I’m able to adapt my teaching approach in real time to meet each student’s needs. My goal is to create a balance between solid foundational skills—like music theory, scales, chord structure, and rhythm—and the art of playing by ear, including techniques like the Nashville Number System and rote learning. I also believe in setting small, achievable goals that build toward long-term growth and success.
Curriculum
I’m a big fan of Alfred’s piano courses—they’re excellent for both kids and adults. For drumming, I often draw from The Rock and Roll Bible and The Jazz Bible of Coordination, which offer great structure and technique. I’m also a strong believer in practicing with a metronome. With the growing use of electronic elements in today’s rock and pop music, developing a solid sense of timing is essential to becoming a well-rounded, modern musician.
Credentials & Affiliations
I began my music studies at Chipola College from 1997 to 1999, focusing on percussion, piano, and voice. After earning my Associate’s Degree, I transferred to Florida State University, where I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Church Music. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built a diverse career in music, including extensive experience in both contemporary and traditional church settings, choir directing, private and group instruction in percussion, piano, and voice, as well as over two decades of band directing.