Longboat Key Observer  By Molly Schechter | Social Editor December 2009

The votes are in — Designing Women Boutique’s “Cocktails, Cuisine and Couture” Sunday, Dec. 13, at the boutique, was a success. Mary Ann Robinson was chairwoman for the fourth consecutive year, with Janet Hunter as co-chairwoman this year. Jewel Ash has headed up the styling team from the beginning, and this time was ably assisted by Jackie Rogers and Victoria Leopold. Ash and Rogers were also co-chairwomen of “Where Fashion Meets Food,” the 124-page cookbook that sold like hotcakes, when Asolo Conservatory students presented them in style.

The evening was full of special touches, from the piano students of board member Marcy Gilroy performing before the show to model and psychiatrist Dr. Lisa Merritt bringing the massage therapist from her office to ease pre-show tensions.

Several of the 39 models in the DWB fashion show have been in all the shows, among them, Dr. Anne Chauvet, Sandra Day and Helen McBean. Richard Weintraub and his team from Yellow Strawberry Salon contributed their hair-and-makeup services for the fourth year. Other long-time contributors included production coordinator and boutique founder Jean Weidner, emcee Carolyn Michel, auctioneer Michael Klauber, choreographer Jimmie Hoskins and performers Tsadok Porter, Jnana Wilson and Whitney Rashad, from the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe.

We’re already looking forward to next year! 

Herald Tribune    January 31. 2010

Marcy Gilroy owner of A Prelude to the Classics Piano Studio to judge Battle of the Bands

The 2010 Competition has just begun so be patient as we update all National and State sites as they come online. Competitors from every state are automatically entered into the Nationwide Database at the completion of each regional event for final National Competition Standings. All competitors win at the regional competition level and are awarded prizes by local event sponsors. Proceeds will go to Protect The Children

The highest 3 scores from all statewide competitions will automatically win at the National level on the completion of the overall event and earn prizes offered by National Sponsors.

The Top 3 winners from each region will get their music posted on the State page, space allowing. We may also post music from judges in the event. Space allowing, the 1st place winner from each region will be posted on the National "Battle for America" site. All posted music is done with the permisiion of the artist.

All competitions are judged by PRO's in some aspect of the music industry. There is no such thing as "Winner by Applause" in the Battle for America competition. Many of our judges are supplied by our local event sponsors.

Portions of the Selected Regional Events will be filmed for broadcast on National TV by Sonic Records & DirecTV. Click Picture below for details or go to SPONSORS Folder in the PIC section for details on all sponsrs.

 Herald Tribune                          April 7, 2009                                      

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, 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       April 2009 

Resident Executive Banker Goes Back to Her Passion in Music 

Marcy Gilroy has been 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 pursing 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.