WATERBURY, Conn. – (April 25, 2024) – Post University is thrilled to announce that Grammy Award-winning and Waterbury native Nicole Zuraitis will serve as the keynote speaker at the Commencement Ceremony for the graduating class of 2024. The two-part ceremony is Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the historic Palace Theater in Waterbury, Conn.
As a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, and pianist, Zuraitis began her career at a young age at Litchfield Jazz Camp in Litchfield, Conn., where she developed a profound appreciation for art and music. Zuraitis graduated from Holy Cross High School in Waterbury before earning her bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s in business administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La.
Zuraitis’s musical talents and dedication have yielded notable achievements, including winning a Grammy for “Best Jazz Vocal Album” and receiving two Grammy nominations for her work as a jazz singer-songwriter. Her arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” co-written with drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, earned a Grammy nomination in 2019, propelling her career and solidifying her status as a prominent figure in modern-day jazz. In 2020, Connecticut Magazine recognized her in its “Top 40 Under 40” list, and Forbes Magazine featured her weekly livestream, “Virtual Piano Lounge,” which garnered attention during the pandemic.
A proud educator, she currently serves on the faculty at New York University and SUNY Purchase. She has held positions at Berklee College of Music, SAM in India, the Australian Embassy, and the Lithuanian Consulate.
The May 11 morning ceremony will honor all doctoral, graduate, and Main Campus undergraduate students, while the afternoon ceremony will celebrate online undergraduate students. The Class of 2024 represents over 350 Connecticut graduates and 1,360 graduates from out of state, with 25 graduates living outside of the United States. At Commencement, Post will award 51 doctoral, 704 master’s, and 1,175 bachelor’s degrees.
For more information on Post’s 2024 Commencement ceremony, visit www.post.edu/graduation/.