Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Rose Gallipeau
Hi Mary Rose, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you for having me back! My name is Mary Rose and I am a Catholic pianist, singer, harpist, and organist based out of Cleveland, Ohio, just relocating from New York. I started out as a classical pianist and harpist in my youth, then majoring in Music Ed K-12 in Choral Arts. My goal is to help revive the traditional hymns and music of the Catholic Church. Having just moved, I am really enjoying establishing myself in Ohio.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never a smooth road, but I truly am grateful for the blessings I have had along the way. Being in the music industry comes with a difficult level of perfectionism that I have always struggled with. There will always be someone with more technical perfection or more hours to practice, but I have always tried to focus on being musical and pouring myself into the art over all else and that has kept me enjoying every moment along the way. The work hours and demands of art go so much further than what most people would see too— so I would also say I’m so grateful to my support systems! My friends and family, especially my parents and grandparents, and most especially my fiancé, Luke! He is my best friend, my roadie for gigs, my harp mover, and he’s even volunteered to be my page turner during many practice hours and performances. Musician spouses are really unsung heroes of many performances, but I have to say my spouse-to-be goes above and beyond to support me. Biggest advice- have your support networks!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Sacred Music of the Catholic Church. I direct choirs of all ages, play multiple instruments and I’m studying the traditions of the Church to revive the music in my local communities. I’m known especially for my voice and the way I arrange instruments with particular music. I especially love incorporating strings over the organ, singing Gregorian chant or hymns above it. I’m honored to be a part of the Catholic Mass— it’s such a personal and intimate way to devote myself to God and the community. My arrangements or style of playing is definitely a little different than anyone else I know of currently in this field, but I try to be very careful to incorporate the tradition of history with new musical ideas or styles. I’d say this really sets me apart from other directors.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I started studying music from a very early age—we estimate about 2 years old! Music was definitely my hobby I loved the most as a child, and I poured myself into it–piano, harp, Church choir, handbells, and even viola for a bit. My parents were so encouraging of the arts in our home so there was always something creative going on in our home that I had to be involved in. As I grew up and was wondering what I wanted to be in life, I realized that the thing I felt the most beauty and purpose in was giving myself to God through the music of the Church! Being always close to my faith, I dedicated a lot of time helping at our local Churches growing up, from volunteering at pancake breakfast to cantoring for the Masses. Putting my two main passions together to serve others was such a natural pursuit for me. I started in 9th grade to play at Church under the wing of our Director of Music & Composer, Marie-Jo Thum, and the awesome support of my Pastor, Fr. Michael O’Flaherty, who encouraged and guided me with the specifics too. Playing at Church took off quickly and launched my high school studies with a huge motivation to grow in musicianship and knowledge. I studied piano with Dr. Edward Turgeon of the Duo Turgeon, and Dr. Heather Coltman during high school. In college, I achieved a degree in Music Ed K-12 specializing in Choral Arts from Florida Atlantic University School of Music, with Dr. Patricia Fleitas who took my voice so far beyond where I started. After graduating, I moved to New York and continued my ministry with my website Marian Melodies, making Catholic sacred music videos and taking my second position as Director of Sacred Music on Long Island, New York. I sang with the Metropolitan Catholic Chorale and studied with Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka in Sacred Music. I’m so grateful to God for the journey I’ve had so far, my support networks, and looking forward to the future!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marianmelodies.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marianmelodies
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/marian-melodies
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@musicmaryrose
