Gillian F.

Music has been a part of Gillian's life for as long as she can remember, whether it was rocking in her crib as a toddler to the music playing in her home, or learning her first church hymn on her grandmother’s antique piano. From a young age, Gillian was exposed to different genres of music including jazz, gospel, classical, and R&B by her parents and her public school educators. Gillian started taking piano lessons in her last year of elementary school, when her school transitioned into a gifted and talented magnet school. After her first recital in fifth grade, Gillian was hooked, and knew that music was going to be an integral part of her life.

Gillian began to take private piano lessons at age twelve and also played with her school's jazz ensemble. Additionally, she became the pianist for two choirs at her church. She also sang with the school's choral ensemble, and was recognized with the Superior Achievement in Choral Music award in her final year at Ligon G&T Magnet Middle School. After being accepted to Enloe G&T Magnet High School, Gillian continued her development in piano, and began to discover that she had been given the gift of and love for singing as well. During her sophomore year, Gillian began private voice lessons. As a member of her school's Chamber Choir, Gillian had the privilege of performing Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew Passion at Carnegie Hall, conducted by Kurt Masur. Gillian continued to perform in piano and voice recitals throughout her high school years.

Gillian received a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Voice Performance from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. While attending Meredith, Gillian performed in choral works and opera scenes, and was an accompanist for other voice majors in the department. It was during her sophomore year that Gillian experienced one of many musical highlights of her life: hearing Leontyne Price in recital and, afterwards, having the opportunity to meet her idol! That experience drove Gillian to aspire to be, not just the best singer, but the best artist possible. During her senior year, Gillian was one of the winners of Meredith's annual Concerto Competition, which provided her the opportunity to perform with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.

Gillian attended The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford in Connecticut and earned a Masters of Music degree with a concentration in Voice Performance. While attending the Hartt School, Gillian became a chorus/ensemble member of Connecticut Opera in Hartford, CT. During her tenure with the company, Gillian performed in various operatic works including Bizet's Carmen, Mozart's Don Giovanni, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly. After graduation, Gillian continued performing with Connecticut Opera and also had the privilege to perform with The Berkshire Opera.

After spending many years in the corporate arena, Gillian decided to reignite her love of music through teaching. As she reflects on her musical career, Gillian acknowledges the choral directors as well as the piano and voice teachers who supported, challenged, and encouraged her development and she wants to share that same knowledge and passion with the next generation. Gillian provides each of her students with a solid technical foundation, but more importantly, she helps her students find the meaning behind the music. She wants to help her students discover their own interpretation of the music and find joy in expressing themselves through this creative art form.

While her focus over the past several years has been on teaching, Gillian still manages to stay active as a performer. One of her favorite performances in recent years was a voice recital she held that was entitled "Songs of My America," which celebrated the music that has impacted Gillian's musical journey over the years.