Crisel Consunji

Actress, Singer, Educator

"Life is gonna be full of challenges, but you will always have a lot of opportunities if you believe in yourself."

I was born and raised in the Philippines, where I first experienced the power of theater. When I was 10 years old, I joined a professional theatre company, and I just fell in love with the performing arts. Theatre helped me to discover my voice, express myself, and connect with people from different walks of life. Theatre has given me so much and it's something I want everyone to be able to experience.

When I was in my early twenties, I started mentoring some high school students in drama. It was such a rewarding experience and made me want to take it one step further. I accepted a job as the head of drama at a high school, where I could work more closely with young people. Looking back, that decision to pursue a career as an educator is one of the most defining moments in my life.

After I started teaching, I realised that although my students had immense talent, their talents weren't being recognised because they were being measured by traditional academic standards. As a teacher, it was frustrating to see my students fall through the cracks of the education system, simply because they had a "different intelligence".

This experience reinforced my drive to continue working at the intersection of art and education. I've always believed that the artist's work is to challenge the status quo, inspire action, and lend a voice to those who have not yet discovered theirs. As an art educator, I can have an even greater impact on the next generation.

In 2008, I moved to Hong Kong as a vocalist and cast member at the Hong Kong Disneyland. My job gave me the opportunity to move to Hong Kong, but I always knew that I wanted to continue working in education. As I got involved in the community here, I recognised the same patterns that I had seen back in the Philippines - an overemphasis on academic performance and little recognition of creativity and multiple intelligences. In 2015, I took the plunge and once again combined my love for the arts and passion for education by co-founding a creative arts learning centre for children.

Today, I wear multiple hats as an actress, singer, and educator, but my goal in each of these roles is the same - to connect communities and empower families through the arts.