Banker Returns to Her Musical Roots. A&E Editor Herald Tribune By: Heidi Kurpiela

If Marcy Gilroy’s life were a concert, she’d currently be in her second act. On the surface, it seems as if the bank-executive-turned-piano-teacher has undergone a creative metamorphosis, but to those who know Gilroy, her latest endeavor is less of a departure and more of a homecoming. A classically trained pianist, Gilroy has played the piano since she was 4 years old. Mozart’s “Fantasia in D Minor” comes as naturally to her as does the glittering jewels and gowns she’s photographed wearing at black-tie events. But Gilroy is much more than a socialite. Step inside her Prestancia home and you’ll see for yourself. A woman doesn’t convert half her living space into a piano studio if she’s not seriously disciplined or seriously talented. Gilroy is both. “This isn’t a music mommy-and-me where we twirl around and play games,” Gilroy says as she breezes into the living room she uses for her Child Prodigy piano series. “This is structured piano. “Eight baby pianos in red, black, and pink are assembled in a U-shape across a zebra-print rug in the middle of the room. Clothespins hold sheet music and colorful name tags in place. Pushed under a bay window in the room is a zebra-print bench in which Gilroy has stored a collection of toy drums, tambourines and other instruments.

“My significant other will tell you the reason I love this so much is because I’m still a kid,” Gilroy says, bending down to pluck the keys on a miniature piano. The mother of four attended New York University School of Performing Arts in the late 1970s. She performed at Lincoln Center, taught at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts and worked as an accompanist at the New Jersey School of Ballet.

She seemed destined for a life as a concert pianist until she graduated with an MBA from Barney School of Business and set out for Wall Street. A former senior-level executive at Bank of America and Fifth Third, Regions and Citizens banks, Gilroy spent 25 years in wealth management until the banking industry went bust a couple years ago. That prompted Gilroy to revive her oldest passion — music. Gilroy started “A Prelude to the Classics” in the spring of 2009. Within two months she had eight students. A year-and-a-half later, she was up to 60 students, ranging from 2 years old to 82 years old.

Piano Distributors on U.S. 41 recently latched on to her Child Prodigy series. According to Gilroy, the program will soon be replicated in 32 retail piano locations throughout the U.S. — zebra-print decor and all. “It’s a little funky,” Gilroy says of the studio, which also offers guitar, drum and voice lessons. “But this is me; this is my style.”

Gilroy is overjoyed with the success of her program. She says her children’s classes have been a labor of love. “It’s unbelievable,” Gilroy says. “I feel like I should have done this years ago.”

Herald Tribune

By Heather Dunhill

Reinventing Herself

Wealth management pro Marcy Gilroy is reinventing herself by returning to her love of piano. Playing since the age of 4, she is taking on a limited number of students for private lessons. Among her credits, piano performance major at NY University School of Performing Arts, double major at the Hartt College of Music, accompanied the New Jersey School of Ballet and was a student teacher at the NYC High School of Performing Arts. For more info: www.apreludetotheclassics.com

Marcy has enjoyed a successful career in banking and individual wealth management, for over 25 years. In addition to her piano studio, where she only takes on a limited number of students, she is a specialist at Morgan Stanley (the leading global financial services firm that provides investment banking, securities, and wealth management services in 36 countries.) Marcy works with individuals in protecting their assets for college bound children, protection of high asset estates, building retirement assets, protection planning for physicians with disability coverage, and long-term care protection for those over age 50 to protect their assets and those assets of their children. She maintains her MBA, is a JD Candidate, and a Chairperson for FINRA, where she judges securities claims in the Dispute Resolution Panel provided by FINRA. She has been a senior and executive level banker in Wealth Management at Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Regions Bank, Citizens Bank, and Raymond James.

TPC Prestancia Newsletter

Resident Executive Banker Goes Back to Her Passion in Music

Marcy Gilroy is known throughout Sarasota for her extensive banking career, law, securities arbitrations and charitable community activities. She chaired the inaugural Heart Association Gala, “Go Red for Women”, and The Butterfly Ball, for G. Wiz, where she sits on the Executive Committee. Following twenty-five years in the financial services arena, beginning on Wall Street, and heading up Wealth Management at several Major and Regional Banks, she is now also pursuing a career in music. Most people are aware that Marcy resides on several Boards in the community that supports the Arts, particularly The Asolo Rep Theatre and Designing Women. However, most people are not aware that Marcy’s passion and original focus in college was the piano. Marcy attended New York University School of Performing Arts as a Piano Performance Major, performed throughout Metropolitan NYC, and accompanied the New Jersey School of Ballet. She was a student teacher at The NYC High School of Performing Arts (The movie ‘FAME’ was filmed there). She then went on to Hartt College of Music, as a double major: Piano Performance and Management and jointly obtained her BA and MBA at Hartt College of Music and Barney School of Business. Marcy began playing the piano at the age of four and has continued to play for her own enjoyment. Marcy is now taking on a limited number of students, all levels, and ages, in either her home studio, or the home of the student. With her tremendous contacts in the Arts throughout the community, she feels for school age students, her studio will prove beneficial to those seeking to eventually go on to college. Piano lessons have been proven to increase one’s IQ, and boost grades in school. In addition, playing the piano teaches poise and confidence from a performance view, and enhances focus and drive. Marcy will be having the students that wish to perform have the ability to play recitals at The Asolo Theatre, as well as have the opportunity to perform at a variety of Charitable Community functions. Marcy is a classically trained pianist; however, she also plays Pop, New Age, and Easy Listening. For those students desiring more than merely learning to play, she will teach students to read music, music theory, sight-reading, and ear training. She will teach skills necessary for performance for those interested in performing. For adults, learning to play the piano can be a huge stress reducer, and provide incredible relaxation. Marcy is a five-year resident and lives in The Estates of Prestancia, with her 13 year old son, Zachary, a student at Pineview. She also has three children in college, Samantha, Matthew, and Kimi.

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/A-and-E/081820107561/Marcy-Gilroy-piays-piano-VIDEO

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/A-and-E/081820107609/Banker-returns-to-her-musical-roots

Family Beautiful Magazine

Interview with Marcy…

“Can you describe your programs at ‘A Prelude to the Classics’…

A Prelude to the Classics is a full music studio of Musical Performing Arts. We teach piano (classical, easy listening, rock, and jazz improvisation) to ages 2 to 102! We additionally teach drums, guitar (all types), bass and vocals. We have several instructors that have been mentored by Miss Marcy, who utilizes a unique approach she developed that enables all students, young preschoolers, as well as adults, to obtain a fast start, and be able to play in a competition within one to two years. We also work with students on composing, orchestration, reading of notes, ear training, sight reading and technique. This is done in a fun, nurturing environment where typically the student is unaware, they are developing these skills. The children participate in “full blown shows”, major recitals, which are held at the TPC Prestancia Ball Room. Students are not required but are encouraged to participate. Videos of performances can be seen on Marcy's website in the section labeled Videos of Prior Performances www.apreludetotheclassics.com.

Based on the myriad of Charitable Cultural Boards Marcy resides on, top students are asked by Miss Marcy to perform at many events and galas. The most recent event students performed at was The Designing Women Gala. Students have performed at The Sarasota Ballet Gala, Women’s Executive Luncheon in Sarasota, KidsFest, and the Van Wezel. Miss Marcy developed what is considered the most unique program for 2–5-year-old preschoolers to enable very young children to actually read music and play pieces on the piano. This program is being franchised throughout the Piano Distributors system through 36 locations nationally. The Premier Program was opened in January 2010, and classes have consistently been wait-listed. The program has students playing on quality child size baby grand pianos in a multitude of colors. Students learn in a fun environment via repetition involving a myriad of instruments.

Miss Marcy also works with highly focused students in Music Company, an actual Rock Band. Senior Company consists of children ages 5 - 17. Junior Company has kids ages 4 and 5! They play keyboard, drums, bass, and harmonize vocals. For additional information visit A Prelude to the Classics web: www.apreludetotheclassics.com

The Asolo Gala

The Herald Tribune

A Metamorphosis for the Butterfly Ball

Mother Nature threw a windy twist into the plans for a bayfront dinner under the stars for the Egyptian-themed "Midnight at the Oasis" Butterfly Ball last week. Quick-thinking chairman Marcy Gilroy gathered her hard-working committee to move the entire event indoors and create a spectacular last-minute metamorphosis of G.WIZ. Cool-headed and organized, Marcy still had plenty of time to slip into a stunning jewel-toned evening gown -- very Cleopatra-ish -- that blended with the blue and gold layers of color in every room.

Guests enjoyed strolling through the "Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh's Tomb" exhibit before entering the dining room for an exotic dinner and a few words from board co-president Bruce Wertheimer, who thanked everyone for their support.

Heartfelt Stories to Support American Heart Association

More than 200 of the lunch bunch, dressed to the nines in all shades of red, gathered at Michael's the other day to support the American Heart Association. The "Go Red" luncheon, chaired by Marcy Gilroy, Sherry Flynn and Wendy Brandon, was, at times, informative, at other times, sad, and most of all ... over-the-top successful. Representing Macy's, the national sponsor, were Janie Hunter and Kerry Yelle, and the applause was deafening as the women presented the chairmen with a check for $300,000.Most touching were the testimonials from cardiac disease survivors Becky Carmichael, Ronnie Meurs, with husband, Brian, at her side, and tearful mom, Stefanie Pablo, holding daughter Emma, who received her first open-heart operation at 6 days old and faces her third surgery in May. Besides the "You go, girls" congrats for the first two speakers, you could hear the collective sympathy for Stefanie and love for Emma in the room; it was that kind of crowd ... that kind of caring.

THE PRESTANCIA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Philanthropist Marcy Gilroy is busy! As SVP Manager Private Banking for Fifth Third Bank, Marcy has sponsored events for Mote, West Coast Symphony, Mistletoe Ball, Wine, Women and Shoes/Forty Carrots, Cancer Awareness, Boys and Girls Club, Sarasota Opera, the Winefest, Sarasota Ballet, American Cancer Society, Heart Association, G. Wiz, Selby Gardens, New College, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, UCP Chocolate Event, Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center, YMCA, YPG ,Junior League, Planned Parenthood, United Way and Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Marcy is a Board member for the Sarasota University Club, Asolo theatre and Designing Women. This season Marcy is chairing the Cat Depot’s main fund-raising event, “Cat’sino” on January 12 at Michael’s on East. For tickets to the Cat Depot's Gala call 366-2983. Marcy Gilroy and Julie Wyman hope to see many of their Prestancia neighbors at these key events supporting two important Sarasota charities.

Miss Marcy works with students who are gifted, with High IQs, and learning disabilities including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD, ADHD, Einstein Syndrome, Dyslexia, and other forms on the Spectrum. She has proven success in assisting these students to mainstream back into traditional activities and the school system.