Katya Gruzglina | Life After Juilliard

Postcards From Juilliard Alums

After graduating, I moved to Houston for my master’s degree at Rice University and sang professionally in the U.S. and Europe, primarily focusing on chamber music, early music, and art song. I also had the opportunity to perform my two operatic dream roles—Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin.

Although opera will always be my first love, my musical interests expanded in 2017, when I moved to Los Angeles. I began teaching voice at Fullerton College, became an auxiliary member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and was introduced to the idea that I could utilize and experiment with my instrument in new ways. I fell in love with ensemble singing, reveling in the act of connecting my voice with others.

While continuing to teach and sing professionally, I have started on a new adventure—becoming a psychotherapist. I recently completed my masters and am beginning an internship at a veterans’ hospital. I am also the director of educational content at Creatives Care, a nonprofit cofounded by a fellow Juilliard grad, Catherine Hancock (BM ’09, MM ’11, voice), that aims to connect artists to affordable and high-quality mental health care. There are so many parallels between music and mental health: fostering connection, discovering inner truths, and working to make this world a more joyous place. I feel lucky to be active in both fields.

Katya Gruzglina (Pre-College '07; BM '12, voice)