A native of Calgary, Joy Crawford celebrated her 17th season as violinist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra before retiring in 2010. Joy began studying violin at age 8 with Leon Zaitzeff and later with Lise Elson and Clayton Hare. Her early orchestral experiences were with the National Youth Orchestra and the Calgary Youth Orchestra and freelancing with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Joy received a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University while studying with Francis Chaplin. Upon graduating, Joy won a position in Europe with the Overijessels Philharmonic Orchestra in Enschede, Netherlands. While in Enschede, Joy traveled to Cologne, Germany to study with Max Rostal.

In 1981 Joy won a position with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and enjoyed playing and touring extensively in Europe, Asia and North America for the next 11 years. She also studied at the Utrechts Conservatorium with Viktor Lieberman at this time.

Joy returned to Canada in 1992 after winning a position in the Victoria Symphony. One year later she returned to Calgary to join the violin section of the CPO.

Joy has also been an active teacher in Brandon and the Netherlands and continues her love of teaching at Mount Royal University, Conservatory