Accompanist
Gayle Giese is an accomplished musician, educator, and coalition leader with a lifelong dedication to the transformative power of arts and advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami. From 1984 through 2004, Gayle built a distinguished career in music publishing, serving as a music engraving manager, production director, and classroom music editor for Warner Bros. Publications in Miami, Florida.
As an educator, she has taught clarinet and piano, and launched “Mommy and Me” music classes designed to introduce infants, toddlers, and young children up to age four—along with their caregivers—to the joy of music. For over two decades, Gayle also served as the Music Director, Choir Director, and Pianist for the River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Davie, Florida, where she shaped the worship experience through diverse musical programming and choral leadership.
Beyond her musical achievements, Gayle is a powerful voice in healthcare policy as a founding member and Coalition Leader of the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, as well as a board director for Florida Advocates for Behavioral Health. Her work in mental health advocacy was recognized with the 2019 EPIC Award from Mental Health America of SE Florida, NAMI National’s prestigious Betsy and Richard Greer Award for Advocacy in 2024, and the Family Champion of the Year Award from the South Florida Wellness Network in 2025.
One of the great pleasures of her life was serving as an accompanist for the Girl Choir of South Florida from 2008 to 2016, supporting multiple ensembles across the organization. Gayle is absolutely thrilled to return to GCSF, where she looks forward to assisting with and witnessing firsthand the incredible power of music to enrich and transform girls’ lives.