Gay Grosz joins Centenary’s Hurley School of Music as full-time faculty member
SHREVEPORT, LA — Dr. Gay Grosz, a Centenary alumna and longtime instructor and artist-in-residence at Centenary’s Hurley School of Music, has joined the Hurley faculty full-time as visiting assistant professor of music. Grosz will teach piano performance and pedagogy courses in addition to overseeing the accompanying duties for the Hurley School.
“I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater and to the faculty of Centenary College and the Hurley School of Music,” says Grosz. “Centenary holds so many wonderful memories of former professors, classmates, and students, several of whom are now my colleagues. As a student, I loved the small school academic nurturing that Centenary offered, and I am excited for the opportunity to pay that forward to today’s students.”
Grosz completed a bachelor of music in piano performance from Centenary and went on to earn both a master’s degree in music and a doctoral degree in musical arts, both focused on piano performance, from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She gained extensive experience as an accompanist and performer during her years at LSU, accompanying undergraduate and graduate classes and recitals as well as the LSU A Cappella Choir, LSU Opera, and LSU Select Women’s Ensemble. Grosz also performed with the LSU Symphony and served as assistant music director for L’Opera Lagniappe.
The music community in and around Shreveport-Bossier City has also benefitted immensely from Grosz’s diverse talents. She worked as a coach and accompanist with Opera East Texas in Longview and as production manager, stage manager, chorus master, and accompanist for the Shreveport Opera. Grosz also serves as minister of music at First United Methodist Church in Minden, Louisiana, and was staff accompanist for the Nena Wideman International Piano Competition held at the Hurley School of Music from 1993 through 2008.
Grosz’s previous appointments at the Hurley School of Music, including as a collaborative artist-in-residence and staff accompanist, have given her the opportunity to work closely with the College’s performing ensembles as well as with individual students. Grosz has accompanied Centenary’s Camerata choral ensemble, Opera Workshop, and Singers’ Workshop as well as senior, faculty, and guest recitals. She has also accompanied Centenary students competing at regional and state National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conventions and has performed at Centenary’s annual Christmas Candlelight service. Grosz has advised piano majors and taught courses in piano literature, pedagogy, theory, and collaborative piano to both majors and non-majors at the Hurley School. She will continue these courses and her work as staff accompanist as a full-time faculty member.
“Dr. Grosz has been a valued member of the Hurley faculty for many years,” says Dr. Cory Wikan, acting dean of the Hurley School of Music. “Her institutional knowledge in combination with a formidable talent, excellent pedagogical chops, and extensive performance experience made the choice of making her a full-time faculty member quite simple. I am so delighted she agreed to come aboard!”
Grosz recently collaborated on a recital with Dr. Janani Sridhar, also a new visiting assistant professor, and the pair are planning ways to virtually collaborate on recruiting efforts with several schools in Louisiana and Texas. Grosz is also currently assisting several Hurley piano students with research for honors projects that they will begin within the next year.
“The year of COVID-19 has been challenging, especially for the School of Music,” says Grosz. “But Centenary is steeped in strong traditions, our leadership and faculty are second to none, and our students are displaying an impressive resilience and determination to move forward. It is good to be home!”