Mitzi Groom

Dr. Mary “Mitzi” D. Groom was born May 24, 1950. She received her Master’s degree from the University of North Alabama and her Doctorate degree from Florida State University.

Dr. Groom held various teaching positions throughout her career, beginning with positions in Alabama public schools as Choral Director and at Tennessee Technological University as Professor of Music Education and Interim Chair of the Department of Music and Art. While at TTU, she was the Associate Director of the Cumberland Children’s Chorus, an ensemble that premiered many new works, including “I Dream of Peace,” by Robert Jager, during the 1998 Southern Division American Choral Directors Association Convention.

Dr. Groom has served as National ACDA President, Southern Division ACDA President, Alabama State ACDA President, and as a member of the Editorial Board for The Choral Journal. Her work with young singers has allowed her to appear frequently as guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. After a long career at other schools and universities, Dr. Groom came to WKU where she remained until her retirement in 2013. She became an important part of the WKU community in 2001 as the Music Department Head, a position she held until retirement.

Dr. Groom’s teaching and learning experience is vast, her experience includes Music Education teaching at all levels, directing arts education programs, serving as professional accompanist and organist/choirmaster at several churches in the South. Since 2004 she has been serving as a visiting evaluator at institutions across the United States for the National Association of Schools of Music, and is a member of the National Endowment Trust Committee for ACDA.

Dr. Groom is married to Mr. Joseph D. Groom and has one son, Mr. Joseph Groom, Jr. She is also a member of the WKU Cupola Society.

To memorialize her WKU legacy as a beloved and outstanding professor, family and friends of Dr. Groom established the Dr. Mitzi Groom Honorary Scholarship Fund. Through this fund, Dr. Groom’s legacy on the Hill lives on as deserving students are provided the assistance they need to pursue their goals.