Gary Tannus Nassif

Gary Tannus Nassif is an author, motivational speaker, artist, and entertainer whose career spans education, the arts, and personal development. Nassif studied at Muscatine Junior College, Drake University, the Chicago Art Institute, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he completed post-graduate work in special education. He taught art and special education in schools for seven years before transitioning from the classroom to the entertainment industry in Hollywood and Las Vegas.

Nassif moved to Los Angeles and worked in scenic art at NBC and CBS for major shows featuring Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, and others. In Hollywood and Las Vegas, he developed his singing voice and performance skills, eventually being discovered by Al Viola, guitarist for Frank Sinatra. Nassif was featured with Mafalda, known as the Queen of the Piano of Las Vegas, at MGM Grand, and headlined a show for 5,000 Shriners and families at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He recorded his debut CD, "Sing, Romance Man, Sing," with Frank Sinatra's pianist and conductor, Vincent Falcone.

In addition to his work in music and entertainment, Nassif is recognized as a visual artist. He became a sculptor for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its founder, Danny Thomas, creating the bronze sculpture "The Jeremiah Children" as a symbol of hope. Nassif has also written three family entertainment screenplays, demonstrating his versatility across creative disciplines.

Central to Nassif's motivational speaking is his personal experience overcoming adversity. He fought and overcame a lifelong battle with stuttering, fear, and low self-esteem. As a severe stutterer, he discovered that teaching his first art class as a resource professional for children allowed him to speak fluently, a breakthrough that became the foundation for his memoir, "Stop Crying and Listen to the Music." The book documents his journey, including five significant turning points, and explores his relationship with his father.

Nassif is a keynote speaker who addresses topics such as overcoming adversity, personal growth, and achieving one's dreams. He has worked as a motivational speaker for children in schools, drawing on his lived experience, artistic achievements, and insights to inspire audiences to overcome challenges and realize their potential.