Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Gregory Galand is always seeking a new musical experience. He is primarily a classical upright bass player but is not confined to any specific genre, often exploring jazz, rock, or any other genre that sparks his interest. Since he began playing bass in 2017, Gregory has been dedicated to honing his craft. Through the help of many teachers and mentors such as Vasil Fomitsky, Valentina Shohdy, and, currently, James VanDemark, he has been able to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Kodak Hall.
Gregory attended Laguardia High School for Performing Arts to continue his academic and musical pursuits. In his senior year, he won the school's concerto competition. Gregory ultimately performed Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major, arranged for bass, with the top orchestra. He knew the next step was attending a renowned music conservatory. Gregory was admitted into the Eastman School of Music in the fall of 2023. There, he is in his second year of studying bass and performing in various ensembles.
Gregory has participated in several groups around the Northeast, including the New York Youth Symphony, the Eastman Philharmonic, and the Velvet Quintet. He also took part in the Grammy-winning album "Works by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman" with the New York Youth Symphony.
Looking ahead, Gregory is determined to finish his bachelors in bass performance and secure an orchestral position. In addition to performance, Gregory aspires to continue his growing bass studio consisting of both electric and upright bass. He appreciates the experience of ensemble work and finds sharing his adoration of the double bass to be extraordinarily rewarding.