Cristal Smith is a singer and a songwriter.  Labeled as a contralto, Cristal is classically trained as a mezzo-soprano and carries a vocal range that spans five and a half octaves.  Affectionately referred to as “Little Mahalia” by her peers, Ms. Smith’s voice has been compared to phenomenal predecessors including Mahalia Jackson, Marian Anderson, and Phyllis Hyman by critics as well.

Yet Cristal believes she has a musical style that is all her own through a fusion of gospel, jazz, classical, rock and blues.  Cristal is able to sing in several different languages including English, German, Latin, Yiddish, Italian, Spanish, and French.  However, she says that she attempts to sing to the hearts of people so that no matter what language she’s singing, the music is understood because the audience can feel it as well as hear it

Cristal Smith grew up singing in the church choirs of West End Church of God in Christ.  Initially, she was a child prodigy orator who by age five had been invited all over the state to recite poems from memory.  She joined the children’s choir also known as the Sunshine Band and started leading songs and singing solos.

She sang throughout High School and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in music from the University of Incarnate Word and a Master’s of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Webster University.  She served as Director of the Music Advancement Program, a music scholarship program partnered by St. Philip’s College, the San Antonio Symphony, and the San Antonio Independent School District.

Ms. Smith has performed with choruses nationwide which included an appearance at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.  She has also performed with the San Antonio Symphony in the productions of Kurt Weil’s “Cry, the Beloved Country”, and Hannibal Peterson’s “African Portraits.”

She performed the National Anthem for the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets. She  was recently selected to sing as one of the opening acts for a live taping of the Bobby Jones Gospel Show.   Ms. Smith is a member of the Second Baptist Church  in San Antonio, Texas and sings in the choir.