As someone who lives and breathes all things music, Georgia Pappas Fragale ’77 has an extensive background in music therapy, performance and musical theatre.
After college and in addition to being a music therapist, Mrs. Fragale opened her own piano studio, and she taught adults and children in Pennsylvania. As she relocated around the country, Georgia continued teaching in Connecticut and Michigan. She has worked as a pianist at The Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, Pennsylvania; Marriott Hotels in Connecticut; IBM Corporation in New York; and Mariano’s Fresh Market in Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Fragale has worked as a musical theater rehearsal and pit pianist in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Michigan. She has been a choir organist for the Greek Orthodox Church in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Michigan, Illinois, and currently in Richmond, Virginia.
Georgia’s most rewarding work has been as a collaborative pianist for choral, instrumental, vocal ensembles, and soloists, working extensively with music students of all ages. She accompanied nationally recognized Men’s Chorale and Select Women’s Ensemble of Haslett High School (Michigan), with both groups having performed at ACDA national conferences. Mrs. Fragale also accompanied soloists and ensembles at the Michigan Youth Arts state-wide music competitions. She has accompanied the Grammy Award-winning Michigan State University Children’s Choir and can be heard on the recordings of “Songs of Sorrow, Songs of Joy”, and “America the Beautiful: Songs of our Heritage.”
The music therapy and piano performance alumna says that her “love of the piano and its contributions to vocal performance” and her “studies at Shenandoah University” made her want to pursue a career in music. Her love of music even impacted her two children who both hold music degrees as singers.
Her hope as a newly appointed member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors is to reinforce to current and prospective students that “Shenandoah University is a place for them to learn and grow in their chosen field and that their presence on campus and/or online is valued and appreciated.” She is looking forward to helping further the university’s mission and to meeting new people.