Teacher Profile: Laneise Collier
About Laneise Collier
As a very young girl Laneise used to stand around various leaders at
church as they played the piano or organ and just watch in amazement.
This led her parents to believe she had an active interest in music and
she began playing piano at the young age of 5 years old. Once she
entered middle school she signed up for band and begin to play flute at
11 years old. She played flute in the band for middle, high school and
college. She played flute and piano for solo and ensemble for high
school. She also participated in ACT-SO competitions locally and
nationally throughout all of high school. Also she participated at the
Central Michigan University Keyboard Festival and Competition, for the
piano proficiency test.
She attended Saginaw Valley State University where she received her
bachelor’s in International Business, Foreign Languages (Spanish &
French) and minor degrees in Music Performance and German
Language.
Laneise has various awards and certificates for piano. She participated
in two talent shows throughout middle and high school and won 2nd
and 3nd places. She won gold and silver medals in the local ACT-SO
competition in high school. She has music achievement certificates for
winning first place in local and first place in state high school festival in
May, 2003. Music Merit Award for piano performance and maintaining a
high level of excellence throughout 2000-2001 school years. She
earned a Certificate of Level 1 proficiency achievement in piano at state
solo and ensemble festival in March, 2003. Also, she earned the Board
of Education ‘Accent on Achievement of excellence in piano solo’,
superior rating, proficiency 1, MSBOA state solo and ensemble festival
April, 2003. Each year that she participated she earned the Certificate
of Achievement in performance, instrumental technique, theory, sight
reading, and aural awareness from Mid-Michigan Music Teachers
Association throughout middle and high school years. There are
numerous certificates for participation in recitals.
In high school and after graduation, she performed mini concert
sessions for various churches, playing flute and/or piano. She enjoyed
playing for weddings and playing for Christmas concerts every year.
The highlight of her musical career this far has included owning a
successful piano studio for over 6 years in her home of Michigan before
moving to Georgia. She has enjoyed seeing the results of former
student’s blossom into great musical performers. She has a history of
excellent music teachers however; the most influential music teacher
would be Mary Ellen Bartlett whom she began to study under around
high school years. ‘She encouraged me and helped me to tell a story
with the music I played. She was very patient and kind and she went
above her call of duty as a teacher’. She even helped Laneise venture
off into starting her own piano studio. Her teaching helped explode an
already burning passion for music inside of Laneise. This is why Laneise
understands the importance of a good music teacher.
When you study under great music teachers it develops your talent in
such a way that you can’t even imagine. Knowing this and also having a
passion for sharing her talent and wanting to help others develop their
music talent is the driving force for Laneise to teach students.
Her Philosophy- Music changes lives! It is not just a form of art but
rather a way of life. Music can heal, restore, and touch the depths of
our souls.Laneise is very patient, encouraging, and tailors to the needs
of each student to ensure they are getting the most out of their talent
for music. She has experience with working with students as young as 4
years of age to 65 years of age. She teaches students to play from
within which always produces magic outwardly.