Crouse graduated from the Juilliard School in 1951, where he studied with Milton Katims, Ivan Galamian, and Dorothy DeLay. In his debut Juilliard concert, he played the violin, but he was encouraged to switch to the viola.
Crouse's initial performance at Juilliard involved playing the violin, but he later transitioned to the viola after receiving guidance from his instructors Milton Katims, Ivan Galamian, and Dorothy DeLay.