Gerard Chiusano started in music ministry at the age of 10. A gifted songwriter, composer, arranger and conductor, he studied composition and piano in the college prep program at the Juilliard School in New York, graduating with honors and receiving an honorary scholarship. He continued his studies in composition at the Mannes College of Music and Manhattan School of Music, both in New York City, and he has a Bachelor of Music from Thomason Edison University. As a director of music, he has served parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey.

Gerard has several collections of liturgical music to his credit, including On This Mountain, Maranatha and Waiting for Love, written with his wife, Mary Chiusano. The latter is an Advent-Christmas cantata for children and adults designed for use by Catholic schools and parishes. His songs “With These Ashes” and “Maranatha” are well known to Breaking Bread parishes. Gerard recently collaborated, once again, with Mary on The Wood and the Stone, a new collection of music and guided meditations to help those struggling with loss and grief.

Another component of this new collection is a retreat experience led by Gerard and Mary involving song, meditation and reflection, intended to lead participants to a newfound hope in Christ. Gerard has also given workshops locally for the Archdiocese of Newark and nationally for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM). Experienced in a variety of musical styles and genres, he can lead sessions on liturgy and prayer as well as spiritual events.

Gerard is in the process of completing a master's degree in theology at The College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey.