Crystal D. Reynolds
Crystal Darlene (Price) Reynolds is the youngest of five children born to the late Rev. Calvin D. and Gertrude L. Price. Her father was an CPA and (retired) United Methodist Minister, & her mother was a Special Education instructor. Mrs. Reynolds was inducted into the National Honor Society in high school and graduated from Rutgers College, Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey) with a double major in English and Political Science. Previously, she was employed as an Assistant Contract Consultant as well as a Contract Analyst for two major insurance carriers.
Her proudest accomplishment (other than graduating from college, then giving birth at age 47) is being a breast cancer survivor first in 2001, then again in 2011. In 2004, Mrs. Reynolds discovered another spiritual gift, writing. Along with SAMMIE’S WAR, she is the author of a manuscript entitled, IT FEELS…LIKE COTTAGE CHEESE (a 180 + page spiritual memoir outlining her two breast cancer experiences (and median childbirth)). In the past, she has had articles previously published in SEEK, LIVING, and MORE.com magazines.
A mezzo-soprano, Mrs. Reynolds studied voice under Susan Moorehead and made her professional singing debut at Club Ibis in Manhattan. Since then, she has performed both the National and Canadian Anthems for the (now defunct Newark Bears and) New Jersey Jackals, as well as showcased at Shepherd & Jourdan’s and Joey Paisano’s (both in Manhattan). She is a former member of several classical choirs including the Rutgers University Choir, as well as the (now defunct) NJ Symphony Orchestra Community Chorus directed by Professors: Donald Dumpson, Donald Morris, and (the late) Geoffrey Fairweather (where she was a featured soloist). Mrs. Reynolds also served as section leader/soloist/recitalist at the former Church at the Crossroads (an American Baptist Church) in East Orange, NJ under the direction of Professor Richard C. Alston, as well as a guest soloist for various parishes in the Metropolitan area as well as Delaware, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Portland, Oregon. In her spare time, she reads biographies, historical accounts, and writes mysteries. She also enjoys cooking, watching documentaries, old movies, and football, and is interested in forensic science/criminal justice.
Mrs. Reynolds has been a member of the Union Baptist Church of Elizabeth, New Jersey since 1984. She is a former substitute Sunday school teacher and Vice-President of the Senior Choir. In 1986, she was initiated into the Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she served on the Voter Registration Committee (as well as local Chaplain for two years). Married to Victor DaCosta Reynolds of Summit, New Jersey (a professional photographer and Deacon at the Union Baptist Church), they reside in Central New Jersey with their son, Carrington DaCosta Reynolds and “finicky feline” Shadow.
