Maria Gillard

Biography

“She really dives into what she sings, communicating every word with conviction.” – Rich Warren, WFMT (Chicago, IL)

Maria Gillard is a talented singer, songwriter, and educator from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. She has been composing and performing for 25 years. Her compelling, rich alto voice draws you into the lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart. Her music has been described as soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a down-home flair that makes you feel like you are in her living room – she is that charming, warm and inviting.

As an educator, Maria received a bachelor’s degree in Music from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She is a music instructor and directs a vocal jazz ensemble at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY. She has worked for the Aesthetic Education Institute as a teaching artist, given concerts and held workshops in schools and nursing homes for many years. She teaches private voice, piano and guitar lessons in her home. A Kerrville New Folk finalist in 1997, she has toured as a folk musician throughout the northeast.

Her new album, “Mending”, is a mixed bag of songs and combos recorded over a 12-month period. It is her journey of creating studio versions of some songs that were written through a confusing period of transformation, grief and recovery. We mend ourselves little by little through love, faith, forgiveness and letting go. Peace is within our reach at all times. We just have to open our hearts and minds.