Local Voices: Adrian McGrady

Adrian McGrady is a talented musician living in Southport, NY.

His family is native to Corning, NY. His brother lives in Painted Post, and his mother teaches at Corning-Painted Post Middle School. He has always lived in Corning, except for the few years he left to pursue his musical education. He works at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira when not traveling as a freelance musician. He is also a freelance teacher, helping flute players perfect their art and performance skills.

Music has always been a big part of Adrian’s life. “I grew up in the church being in the choir, but it wasn’t until I saw James Galway and Hubert Laws in concert that I was sold.” Adrian said he was drawn to the flute after seeing James Galway’s 24K gold flute and seeing flute players who look like him.

“The first time I left Corning was when I attended Mansfield University in 2005,” Adrian said. “Then, I left again for six years to attend SUNY University in Buffalo in 2010 to study Music Performance. When I came home in 2016, I was still trying to find my place in the world. However, from 2017 to now, I have been traveling from state to state, displaying my passion for music.”

His support system here kept drawing Adrian back home, something he says he didn’t always have when he was on the go. But he still had concerns. “When I returned [after school], my biggest concern was that I would have to start from the beginning,” Adrian shared. “Especially as an artist, I want to have the opportunity to be seen and surround myself with other artists who love to create new art.” He added, “I was excited when I was asked to be a part of the 2024 SOFLX Pride Festival, and because of that, I have been making many connections.”

Now that Adrian is a bit more settled and building his artists networks here at home, he sees the potential the region has to offer others like him. “As an artist, this area has the potential to do large-scale art projects,” he said. “We just need to find the right people to manifest them into existence.”

Adrian’s most significant advantage of living in his hometown is being close to his family. He adds, “Because I’ve had the opportunity to connect with new people in the area, I have been able to collaborate on various projects.” The one disadvantage he experiences is how much traveling for his craft takes him away from work and family. However, he remains inspired by his growing community of artists, making every moment at home one to look forward to. “The artist community here in the Corning is very tight-knit, and we are making a statement here in the Southern tier. I would love to discover more artistic talent here because we have a lot of unseen talent,” he said.

When he is home, Adrian makes the most of it. “A typical day for me consists of work, exercise, teaching, and local gig work,” he said. “I love checking out the local coffeehouses. I am a big walker, so if I have nothing to do, I will go for a walk.”

Adrian offers the following advice for anyone considering a move to the area: “Don’t get discouraged by the small towns or a sense that you might not have much to do. Put your talents to work; you never know who is watching you.”

He encourages newcomers to “find their groove,” adding, “One way or another, you have a place in this community. It’s up to you to find it and be ready to work. It really can be a lovely life.”

Thank you, Adrian, for sharing your story! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.