Mary Gatchell
New York City’s Mary Gatchell is a soulful and multi-faceted composer, singer, songwriter, oboist, pianist, conductor, music director, and educator. Originally from Epping, New Hampshire, Mary earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Theory and Composition and her Master’s degree in Jazz Piano from New York University.
A prolific songwriter and recording artist, Mary has released 13 albums of her original music, including works for children, collections of hymns and spirituals, and jazz standards. Her 2024 vinyl release, Destiny, produced by ATN Stadwijk, features her original compositions inspired by the poetry of Rabia of Basra, Rumi, Dante, Hafiz, St. Catherine of Siena, and Farouk Henry, available exclusively on vinyl.
Recorded with her band, Mary’s single, "Istanbul" (November 2025), also produced by ATN Stadwijk, draws from her travels in the beautiful Turkish city, featuring virtuoso Ismail Lumanovski on the Turkish clarinet. Mary’s composition, "Weave Athena", was released in the spring of 2026.
Raised in a home filled with music and theatre, Mary grew up performing at the Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, founded by her mother, Elaine Gatchell, and playing in her father J. Bruce Gatchell’s concert and jazz bands. Her early experiences singing, acting, dancing, and performing on oboe and piano formed the foundation for her distinctive artistry—an expressive blend of Broadway, jazz, and classical influence.
After completing her studies at NYU, Mary established herself on New York’s most iconic stages, performing at Blue Note, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Birdland, Knitting Factory, Bitter End, Cutting Room, Rockwood Music Hall, Groove, and CBGB’s and more. Her Broadway credits include performances at the Lamb’s Theatre, Minskoff Theatre, Lena Horne Theatre (formerly Brooks Atkinson), and Barrymore Theatre. Internationally, she has brought her original music to concert halls, opera houses, jazz clubs, and festivals throughout Italy.
Mary performed with The Rolling Stones for their 50th Anniversary Tour, appearing at Barclays Center and Prudential Center with the acclaimed Ghostlight Chorus. In 2018, she was the pianist for NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live starring John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. From 2019 onward, she served as a conductor and pianist on Broadway for Waitress, and in 2021 joined Six: The Musical until her move to Abu Dhabi where she is currently a Visiting Lecturer of Music at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Mary’s recent compositional work includes two world premieres (2024–2025) in New York City: Giza Suite for woodwind quintet, inspired by her travels in Egypt, and Symphony No. 1: Gram’s 12 Tone Rows, an orchestral work based on tone rows composed by her grandmother, Dorothy Bassett, expanded and developed in collaboration with her father. The 5th and final movement of this symphony, Selah V, was premiered on March 13, 2026 in NYC.
In 2023, her choral piece Paradiso Canto 33 premiered by Ghostlight Chorus, conducted by Dr. Evelyn DeGraf in Siena, Italy, setting Dante’s transcendent text to music for a cappella choir.
Since 2008, Mary has been the principal oboist with the Leon Lacey Orchestra (Beyoncé/Janet Jackson), performing all over NYC including Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre, alongside gospel legends Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, and Donald Lawrence. She also performs with the New York Chamber Players, appearing at Carnegie Hall and other various chamber ensembles and orchestras around the city.
In addition to her classical and Broadway work, Mary is a dynamic singer and performer in New York’s live music scene, including singing with the New Orleans–inspired funk band, Strangeland, performing regularly at the iconic Bitter End, the storied home of artists like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
A passionate educator, Mary taught at Nyack College from 2015–2022, leading courses in ear training, theory, acting, and conducting. She co-directed the college’s Chorale and music-directed and choreographed stage productions including West Side Story, In the Heights, The Wiz, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Dreamgirls.
Her commitment to using music as a tool for healing and connection has taken her abroad with the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, where she implemented sustainable music programs for children in Ethiopia and Bulgaria.
As co-founder and artistic director of Siena Summer Music (2008–2016), Mary brought together classical musicians from around the world to study and perform in historic cathedrals, concert halls, and picturesque courtyards across Tuscany.
Mary’s music is available on all streaming platforms and at www.marygatchell.com.
