Elaine Gervais

Elaine is a native of Colonie and has been active in local professional music performance since graduating from Colonie Central High School. Elaine is a cum laude graduate of the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts in music performance (violin and viola) and secondary education. She completed a Masters of Science degree in Special Education from Sage Graduate School.

Elaine is a permanently certified teacher in K-12 music education, N-6 education, and K-12 special education. She taught strings at Shaker High School and special education at Lisha Kill Middle School before moving to the NYS Education Department as an Associate in the Office of Special Education.

She became a member of the Albany Symphony Orchestra (ASO) shortly after graduating from high school and enjoyed a 30-year tenure in ASO as a member of the violin section and principal of the second violin section. Elaine currently performs as principal second violinist with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra (2000-present), a rofessional mentor with the Skidmore College-Community Orchestra (2000-present), and violinist with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra (2002-present). She has performed in local area music venues as an orchestra

member for Moody Blues, and for entertainment stars such as Pavorati, Rod Stewart, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett and many others. She appeared with on TV in Mariah Carey’s television special as well as in her “Hero” video on MTV.

After retiring from the State Education Department in 2014, Elaine continues to teach privately at her home studio and now at Rocky’s Music Studio.