Crystalla Serghiou

Crystalla is one of eight composers selected for a place on the 2026 RPS Composers programme. This will culminate in her writing a new piece, commissioned by the RPS, for Onyx Brass.

On this page, Crystalla introduces herself in her own words, and shares links to her music, her website, and her social media platforms. We warmly invite programmers and commissioners to take a closer look at Crystalla's work, and please be in touch with us if you would like to connect with her.

About Crystalla

'I am a multi-genre, ‘popsical’ composer, music-director and performer writing in classical, pop and anything in between. From ‘poperas’ to 80s disco, Jazz Scat Concertos and Cypriot folk music, blending genres is a huge part of my musical identity. As someone who enjoys all areas of music-making, I strive to break down genre divisions and am inspired by unique collaborations amongst creatives from different backgrounds.

Since leaving Cyprus, I have fully connected with the UK’s music scene, primarily composing and often doubling as performer/conductor. I have worked with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, National Youth Choir, Florence International Choral Competition, Brixton Chamber Orchestra, Edinburgh Fringe, and Cheltenham, Dartington and Spitalfields music festivals. My compositional voice has been recognised in film as well, with a nomination for Best Score for Monster at the British Short Film Awards 2021.

Outside of composition, I am a passionate educator tutoring in musicianship and composition at the Royal Academy of Music’s Junior Academy, as well as piano for Peterborough Keys Academic Trust. I was also a composition mentor for the Britten Sinfonia’s ‘New Sounds’ project in schools across Cambridgeshire. Through my love of music for stage, I have been Assistant Musical Director for RENT: The Musical, Musical Director for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Capitol, Horsham and I am currently assistant music director and keys player for Sonique's UK national tour.'

Highlights

  • Crystalla was selected for the National Youth Choir’s Young Composers programme 2024-2025. You can now stream her yodel-choral work Little Ol’ Lady Who? and her Greek Liturgical work Kyrie Eleison, which were both included in NMC's Young Composers 6 album.
  • The Stepford Wife: A Concerto for Jazz-Scat Singer was first performed by the Britten Sinfonia and vocalist Emma Smith during Crystalla's time as a Magnum Opus Composer 2024.
  • Selected as a composer for London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Composer’s programme, Crystalla wrote SALT, an evocation of her Cyprus homeland. The piece received its premiere at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, elevated by choreography from Trinity Laban students.
  • Crystalla was music co-supervisor, conductor and arranger for 90s dance music artist Sonique's concert with Baby D and Rozalla in the Royal Festival Hall.

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about Crystalla, hearing and and keeping up to date with her work, take a look at her website and social media below:

The RPS Composers programme could not happen without the support of RPS Members, PRS Foundation Talent Development Network supported by PPL, Delius Trust, Fidelio Charitable Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust, Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, Idlewild Trust, John Ellerman Foundation, Marchus Trust, Presteigne Festival, Radcliffe Trust, RPS Susan Bradshaw Composers' Fund, RPS Thea Musgrave Fund, Vaughan Williams Foundation, and several anonymous donors.