Tobi Crawford is a highly sought-after vocalist, pianist, arranger, and educator hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada. She began her musical journey at the School For Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa, under the
guidance of Grammy award-winning arranger and pianist Phil Mattson. During her time there, she recorded two albums with his flagship group, VoicesIowa, in 1995 and again in 2000.
Afterward, Tobi returned to her hometown of Vancouver, BC, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in jazz voice and piano performance, studying under the award-winning director Réjean Marois. She then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, specializing in Secondary Music, from Simon Fraser University.
Tobi dedicated a decade to teaching at the high school level in Canada, where she instructed choirs, bands, and music theory. She later relocated to Shanghai, China, serving as the Fine Arts Department head and Director of Music at Sino-Canada High School for five years. Tobi also earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance from the prestigious University of North Texas, where she worked as a teaching fellow. Among her responsibilities at UNT, she directed the Third Street vocal jazz ensemble and assisted with the Downbeat award-winning vocal ensemble, Jazz Singers.
Tobi has also directed and chaired the BCMEA’s Honour Vocal Jazz Choir in British Columbia, Canada, and has been a guest clinician and lecturer throughout her province. Beyond her musical endeavors, Tobi enjoys traveling and has explored over 15 countries with her son and family, with hopes of continuing her adventures in the future.
Currently, Tobi serves as the director of music at the School for Music Vocations, where she teaches various courses including Jazz Keyboard, Freshman Vocal Arranging, Fundamentals of Conducting, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir. She also directs the award-winning vocal jazz group, First Take.