Cantorial Soloist (Contemporary Style)

Barbara Mazer Gross

Barbara Mazer Gross has been a classically trained soloist, songleader, music teacher, and choir director since 1995. Barbara began her musical training in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, where she was a regional songleader for the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). 

Barbara attended Washington University in St. Louis and received undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Music (Classical Voice), and also received her Master’s degree in Psychology. Barbara was a Cantorial soloist and songleader at five St. Louis Jewish congregations and directed a children’s choir. She also taught Sunday School music and was the camp songleader for the Jewish Community Center’s day camps.

After leaving St. Louis, Barbara was a program coordinator for the Jewish Community Center in Columbus, Ohio from 1999 to 2002. She continued her work as a Cantorial Soloist at two Reform congregations, as well as teaching guitar lessons and creating two choirs, one for children and one for adults.

Upon relocation to Florida, Barbara was the Cantorial Soloist and Program Director for Temple B’nai Israel for two years before leaving the Jewish music field to pursue non-profit arts management. Barbara was on staff of American Stage for three seasons before becoming the Director of Development of Ruth Eckerd Hall in 2007. She continues her involvement with Jewish music as a Cantorial Soloist at Temple Beth-El as performances with the Jammin Jews.

Barbara lives in St. Petersburg with her husband, Dr. John Gross and daughter Ansley.