Alumni Highlights

December 2023 – Mary (Granofsky) Remsburg ’16

Mary (Granofsky) Remsburg ‘16 – aka Mister Mae – is our December highlight! She recently released her debut album, Sounds Like Home, on November 11. For Mary, this has been a passion project in addition to her day-job of teaching music and accompaniment.

A music education major, she was brought to Shepherd by a feeling. After applying to and auditioning at multiple other universities that offered her full scholarships, she had her final collegiate audition with the Shepherd University department of music. She says that when she met Dr. Kurtis Adams and Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao, she knew this was where she wanted to be.

After graduation, she has spent her time building her music career, but remains connected to Shepherd. Mary teaches private lessons through Shepherd’s community music program, as well as at Saint James private school. She can also be found accompanying the Hagerstown Choral Arts frequently for recitals, private events, musicals, and recordings. Through her performing persona, Mister Mae, she has written numerous songs and performed many covers, releasing several singles prior to her debut album. Mister Mae’s music has been featured on radio programs in the United States and the United Kingdom; she has also had the opportunity to be a guest on the Positively West Virginia podcast.

Mary says she really owes it to Shepherd for all of the beautiful friendship she has created with musicians in the Shepherdstown area and loves the fact that the local area is so supportive of the arts. She even met her husband, Chase Remsburg ‘18, and several artists she has worked with on other projects including her first album, while at Shepherd. She says, “being in the Shepherd music department was challenging and hard work, but ultimately prepared me for exactly what I’m doing in my career today.”

Aside from her music, Mary finds the outdoors to be relaxing – gardening and hiking specifically. She also enjoys it when she gets moments to spend with her friends and family. “Honestly, with the intense teaching and gigging schedule I have during the school year, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for much else,” she says, “but I am grateful for those spurts of sunshine I get throughout the day and for the relationships and friendships I have with the students and families I teach, and people I perform music with.”

The Shepherd University Alumni Association is proud of Mary and all she has accomplished! Show her your support by listening to Mister Mae’s work on YouTube and subscribing to the channel. To read more about Mary as Mister Mae, and her debut album, check out these great articles:

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