BIO (2020)

Crystal Pascucci is a trained and practicing experimental and classical cellist, composer and free improviser. Pulling from influences that range from Bach, Kabalevsky, Miles Davis, John Cage and Morton Feldman, she composes for instrumental ensembles, collaborators and solo projects. Her music is often described as atmospheric, experimental and dramatic in nature, with a strong focus on harmonic and textural development. 

A New York native, she attended collegiate classical music programs at University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and SUNY Fredonia. In 2011, she relocated to the West Coast for graduate studies at Mills College with Fred Frith and Roscoe Mitchell. It was here where her dedication to composition took root. She’s been commissioned by several ensembles including the Guerrilla Composers Guild for Boston based Transient Canvas, New York based Bent Duo, and the Composers Arranger and Performer Orchestra. She writes predominantly for her own ensembles, Inner Movements and Aunt Rose, as well as for her solo project.

As a performer, she is active in the contemporary and experimental music scenes, performing often with Roscoe Mitchell, Pamela Z, Paul Dresher Ensemble, Ned Rothenberg, the Mills Performing Group, Lisa Mezzacappa, Myra Melford, Ben Goldberg, Ellen Fullman, Mark Clifford, Jordan Glenn, Nathan Clevenger, CAPO and the San Francisco Contemporary Players. Through her relationship with SF’s Tiny Telephone Recording Studio, Crystal can be heard on more than 15 full length records of a wide range of artists. She’s also active as a curator of arts events and residencies (Lijiang Studio, Yunnan, China), an arts administrator and a dedicated teacher of chamber music at Oakland School for the Arts.  

As a diagnosed SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) patient, she has worked to overcome the many hurdles presented by the disease. As with many lupus patients, the disease is often “invisible”, and challenges are known only to those incredibly close to her. In an effort to spread lupus awareness, she has chosen to speak out about the disease and offer a simple message to other patients: “Persevere!”