SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. June Issue P.16 Continues NEXT Cover of the Magazine Table of Contents
THE WORLD GREAT FAMILY SINGERS
The Grzanna Family:
One of America’s most profilic and creative musical families. It is almost
unrealistic. Besides Don, Suzanne, and Michelle Grzanna, there are a few
more Grzannas that are performers and teachers in this profilic family.
Maureen Grzanna has taught piano and accordion since she was sixteen years
old. Maureen graduated from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, WI with
three different teaching degrees. She has won many first place awards for her
instruments. Currently, she teaches music for Milwaukee Public Schools and has
been a member of The National Piano Guild for many years. Maureen’s students
have won numerous scholarships at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and
first place awards at the Wisconsin State Music Association (WSMA). Maureen
and Don met years ago at Cascio music store in Milwaukee, WI. Soon after they
got married and started their family. The first Grzanna prodigy was Christine.
She started piano at the age of four and continued her musical studies in
voice and trumpet. She participated in many musical groups as a trumpet
soloist, winning many awards at (WSMA). Christine competed in piano
competitions, winning several honors, and received recognition from the
National Piano Guild Association. Additionally, she was selected to be
a featured soloist at the statewide Pacemakers piano concert. She graduated
from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a B.S. in Education and earned a Masters
Degree in Education from Mount Mary College located in Milwaukee, WI.
Christine is currently a high school instructor, and she continues to teach
music lessons. Donald Jr. was next in line and started piano at age four. He
also pursued musical instruction in voice and saxophone. Donald was a featured
soloist at a statewide Pacemakers concert through the National Piano Guild. He
was also involved in many musical groups and was the lead saxophonist in
several jazz groups. He graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI
with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as a
Masters in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration. Mark
Grzanna started piano and drums at age five, and studied voice as well as
wrote music. He was in many musical organizations and graduated from
University of Wisconsin—Parkside with a Music Performance degree, and then
attended University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee to receive his B.S. in Music
Education. Mark currently teaches music in the Milwaukee Public Schools, and
is a vocalist in the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Mark performs in various jazz
groups and records his original compositions. He is also the music director at
the Milwaukee School of Engineering and his church. A family band was started
when all of the children were in grade school and Maureen, Christine, Donald
Jr., Suzanne, Mark, and Michelle were all members of the band. They performed
for various outings and did a variety of songs. All of them were featured in
the National Guild Magazine for their outstanding piano ability. The Grzanna
legacy will continue with the next generation—Audrey and Mason Mazziotti.
|
|
|
Hanson
The Staple Singers