Rochester, N.Y. – Music’s biggest night will once again include some local talent.
Several faculty members and graduates of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music have received nominations for the 68th GRAMMY Awards in February.
We sat down with two of the nominees who have dedicated their lives to the arts and to teaching others.
Sara Gazarek, associate professor of jazz voice, earned a nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for “Big Fish,” a collaboration with producer Nate Smith and her vocal group, säje.
“It’s a thrill and an honor to be recognized for the work that you do,” said Gazarek. “We are all on a journey that has moments that deserve to be celebrated.”
Across Eastman’s campus, professor of lute Paul O’Dette earned a nomination for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for his interpretation of the 1765 piece “Telemann: Ino” with the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra.
“It was a piece that I didn’t know and was recommended by a colleague,” said O’Dette. “I was thunderstruck; it was just a spectacular piece.”
Several faculty members and graduates of the Eastman School of Music, including professors Sara Gazarek and Paul O’Dette, have received nominations for the 68th GRAMMY Awards in February. (Photo provided)
Both musicians celebrated the recognition and what it represents for their artistic journeys.
“In recent years, there has been a tendency to nominate performances of recent music composed over the past couple of years,” noted O’Dette. “It’s great there is still a place for early music and standard repertoire.”
LAST YEAR: Eastman School of Music graduates, faculty win big at Grammy Awards
“It’s important to take the time to say this happened,” added Gazarek. “Me of 20 years ago would be so psyched that me of now is experiencing this.”
Eastman School of Music on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by John Washnis/WHAM)
The professors say that the energy and curiosity of the students at Eastman drive them to keep learning, creating, and expanding their musical horizons.
“I learn constantly from my students,” reflected Gazarek. “They are a constant source of motivation, inspiration, and curiosity.”
“So often students bring new ideas to the table where they make you say, ‘Wow, that’s great! I never thought of that before,’ and it just expands our horizons,” said O’Dette.
CLICK HERE for a complete list of Eastman Grammy nominees.