Meet Krystle Hart
Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystle Hart.
Hi Krystle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always known that my identity as a multiracial woman gave me a unique perspective, but over time I realized it was actually my greatest superpower as an arts leader. Growing up navigating different spaces taught me how to listen closely and bridge distinct worlds – much like a choir blending individual voices into a single, beautiful harmony. That ability to find common ground and bring people together has shaped my entire career and ultimately brought me to my role as Executive Director of the Choral Consortium of San Diego.
My professional journey began right here in San Diego after I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Journalism and Media Arts. Early on, I started out in event production before naturally transitioning into the non-profit sector, specializing in events and development. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving as a manager at Voices for Children and later at the JCompany Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC. Today, I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Choral Consortium of San Diego, a role I stepped into in March of this year.
Looking back, all of these steps connect in a very meaningful way. Journalism, visual media, event planning, non-profit fundraising, and youth theatre management might seem like distinct paths, but they all share a common thread. Every single role has taught me how to tell compelling stories, bring people together, and build community. The crossover skills I built along the way have truly prepared me for where I am today.
As a multicultural woman, navigating these accomplishments was not always easy, and confidence was something I had to build over time. Growing up I often felt on the outside of groups, but now I realize that “othering” gave me the superpower to understand others across cultural and generational divides. When confronted with adversity I am able to find common ground and approach teaching and learning through the lens of a shared human understanding. Today, I fully embrace and celebrate the diverse cultures that have shaped my perspective and abilities in the world. The growing celebration of diversity within San Diego’s arts community has made me so proud of who I am and deeply passionate about the work I do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, but every challenge has brought valuable lessons. Working in non-profit arts, fundraising, and event management means you are constantly operating with fewer resources than you need. Funding is always an uphill climb. We saw this recently during the San Diego City Council discussions around proposed cuts to arts funding, and we know that supporting the arts will require continuous advocacy. Despite these hurdles, there is no better feeling than overcoming obstacles to see a program succeed in its mission and directly serve our community.
Working in the youth arts during the pandemic was an exceptionally “character-building” experience. When COVID hit, we had to close our facility right after opening night of a musical that was scheduled for a three-week run! My team quickly made sure the performance was recorded before closing so we could distribute it to the cast and their families. From there, we pivoted rapidly to digital learning, even offering a Zoom class on Foley sound design. While I do not necessarily miss hearing kids bang on pots and pans over a video call, I carry that experience with me every day as a testament to how creative and flexible arts leaders can be when faced with adversity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In college, I took a leadership assessment called StrengthsQuest, and my top strength came back as “Maximizer”. In a nutshell, a “Maximizer” is someone who focuses on strengths to transform something strong into something superb. I remember reading this description and thinking, THAT’S ME! When I look at a project, I can see where we are right now, but I can also see all the amazing possibilities of what we could become.
I love dreaming big while simultaneously mapping out the practical, everyday steps needed to get us there. Throughout my career, my greatest joy has been working alongside talented, welcoming, and energizing people who share that positive vision.
I am also guided by a lesson I learned back in middle school choir. After auditioning for a solo and not getting it, I felt discouraged because I had tried so hard to sound just like the original recording. My choir director gently asked me why I wanted to sound like anyone else. She told me that I was not a parrot, but a unique butterfly, and that when I perform, I should sound only like myself. That lesson stays with me to this day. In a world that is increasingly automated, I believe our greatest asset is our unique human perspective and what we personally bring to the table.
In my professional life, I am known for continually raising the bar. I never want to simply maintain the status quo or stop where my predecessors left off. Instead, I enter every new role asking what special value I can personally add to take the organization to the next level.
As Executive Director, my primary focus is advancing the mission of the Choral Consortium of San Diego: to support, perform, and promote choral music across our region. We act as a vital hub for local vocal arts, bringing together nearly 100 choirs, directors, and singers to share resources, collaborate on events, and make group singing accessible to everyone. Whether through community gatherings like World Singing Day or our local advocacy efforts, CCSD ensures that the rich, diverse tapestry of San Diego’s choral community continues to thrive. I view each choir as its own unique micro-business, and my goal is to foster meaningful collaboration so that singing together remains a central part of San Diego’s culture.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I naturally take an optimistic view of the future. I genuinely believe arts non-profits will thrive over the next decade, even as we navigate current funding challenges and industry shifts. Arts leaders in San Diego are remarkably adaptable, and I know our community will continue to find creative ways to move forward.
In the coming years, I expect to see arts organizations think outside the box to create fresh, immersive experiences for local audiences. We saw a glimpse of this creative adaptability during the pandemic through virtual choirs and outdoor performances. Moving forward, that spirit of innovation will only grow.
Given recent national discussions surrounding arts funding and cultural institutions, I also anticipate a powerful resurgence in arts advocacy. Protecting our cultural spaces is essential for future generations. Most of all, I am excited to see arts organizations join forces and pool resources in ways we have not seen before. Through my work with the Choral Consortium of San Diego, I am helping that movement by bringing groups together to share knowledge, resources, and build a stronger, more connected arts ecosystem for everyone.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.sdsings.org/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChoralSD