Dr. Anne Gross, assistant professor of music, has been in demand across the world, from all over the United States to Ireland, Germany, Spain, Australia and Cuba. Her reputation, skill and knowledge as a recitalist, oratorio soloist and master clinician in vocal performance makes her the perfect fit as a professor at Elizabethtown College. In her first year at Etown, she teaches voice, vocal ensemble, studio voice and diction for singers.
Gross has received degrees in vocal performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she received her bachelor’s degree, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she earned her master’s degree, and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, where she earned her doctoral degree. She has been taught by and worked with many musicians including Shirley Verrett, Patricia Berlin, Daune Mahy and William David Brown. During her work as a doctoral student, Gross worked with Martin Katz, an internationally known collaborative pianist, on his book “The Complete Collaborator: The Pianist as Partner,” which was published by the Oxford University Press in May of 2009.
Gross has taught at the university level for 18 years at colleges including Eastern Mennonite University, Anderson University, Westchester University College of Visual and Performing Arts, Whitman College and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. “I love it, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it,” she said. “To teach where I did my undergraduate work was like returning home. To be able to go back where you started with all the knowledge that you’ve gained since you left and be on an equal footing with your professors is a very heady and humbling experience.”
As a new professor at Etown, Gross has come to love the environment; “I really enjoy my colleagues in the music department. I find the students to be very supportive of each other and interested in their work. The atmosphere at Etown is very collegial and welcoming.” She has come to make great friends and love her students.
One of Gross’s most memorable performances was when she sang in Havana, Cuba with world-renowned composer and pianist, José Maria Vitier. “That was very cool because not a lot of Americans get to go there. I have been to a lot of interesting places.” she said. Another favorite memory of hers was performing a piece by Alice Parker, a choral composer and arranger, with her in attendance. “Working and coaching with live composers is a wonderful opportunity,” Gross said.
As well as working as a professor, Gross spent six years at Belvoir Terrace, a performing arts camp for girls, chairing the voice department. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
This upcoming summer, Gross will be touring for three weeks in Australia. She will be performing chamber music concerts along with a pianist, cellist and violinist. “Two of those I will be performing with are friends of mine since undergrad. We have been friends ever since college,” Gross explained. Not only will she be touring, but Gross will also be singing with a small orchestra and teaching master classes and choral workshops. She will also be joining the Chamber Choir on their trip to South Africa in May.
