Mr. Gross

Director of Orchestras

James Gross is Orchestra Director at Grosse Pointe South High School while also serving as Orchestra Director at Grosse Pointe Pierce Middle School.  Mr. Gross was Music Director and Conductor of the Dearborn Youth Symphony (DYS) from 2001 - 2006.   In 2004, he was given the “Educator of the Year” award by Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido for his efforts with the DYS.  A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, Mr. Gross earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Viola Performance from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Conducting from Wayne State University.  Mr. Gross has participated in the International Conducting Workshops in Glasgow, Scotland and the Schleswig – Holstein Musik Festival in Salzau, Germany.  As guest conductor, Mr. Gross has led the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Pops Orchestra, and the Wayne State Symphony Orchestra.  In past summers, Mr. Gross taught at the University of Michigan’s All-State at Interlochen, the American String Workshop in Ann Arbor, and at the MASTA Junior High String Camp.    In his three years at South High School, the orchestras have earned First Division ratings in 2006 and 2007 at the MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival and “Best Overall Orchestra” award at the 2005 Toronto Festivals of Music.  Mr. Gross resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife, Carolyn Parravano Gross and their two children.