Music Ed Alum Charlotte Larue Grantier Endows Fellowship Through Bequest

Charlotte Larue Grantier (MA ’75, Music Education) has made a bequest commitment to endow her existing fellowship to support graduate students in Music Education at NYU Steinhardt.

Charlotte Larue Grandtier, who has been a music teacher in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for over 40 years, began her fellowship for Music Education students in 2020. She wanted to help support graduate students interested in music education because “having music and the arts in our lives leads to a full and happy life.”

“Thanks to Charlotte’s generous gift, NYU Steinhardt can continue helping graduate students pursue their passion for music education without some of the financial barriers that may exist,” says Jack H. Knott, Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of Steinhardt. “We know the positive impact that music can have on individuals and society, and we are so grateful for her support.”

“I know that my parents were very generous to their alma maters and had a good record of giving, and I wanted to do that, too,” says Grantier, who teaches piano, theory, and music history to her private students. “Even though I didn’t have as much money as they did, I wanted to do what I could. Steinhardt was able to put the money I had to use right away with some Music Education students, who I got to meet over Zoom during the pandemic.”

Grantier teaches her students both piano and music theory, in large part because of the wide-ranging program and concepts she learned at Steinhardt. 

“I offer a more comprehensive program to students because of my NYU education,” says Grantier. “My high school students enter the Minnesota High School Listening Contest, in which they learn about 35 selections from medieval to contemporary music to understand more about the composers and culture of the time. I also frequently take students to orchestra and opera performances or rehearsals so they can learn to appreciate live music. Some of my students go on to become professional musicians, but even the ones who don’t will always have that musical experience and knowledge with them.” 

With her bequest, Grantier hopes to be able to continue supporting graduate and doctoral students to excel with their careers and passions for many years to come. When she was updating her will a few months ago, she and her financial advisor realized they had some wiggle room that would allow her to continue her fellowship in perpetuity. 

“I like to live well, but I also want to die well and have my wishes granted, and I know that I have more years behind me than I have ahead of me,” says Grantier. “I’m a firm believer that you should leave the world a better place than you found it.”

For more information about giving to NYU Steinhardt and how your contribution can make a difference, please contact Assistant Dean of Development Julie Frahar at jf4878@nyu.edu or 212-998-6921.