By Mary Hursh
Guest Writer

Lauren Jamison

SYRACUSE — Lauren Jamison loves the piano because “piano is cause and effect and when you hit a key, something happens.”

She is making something very special happen as the new pianist at Calvary Methodist Church in Syracuse where she plans to play two to four Sundays a month. She will also play one Sunday a month for Grace Lutheran Church.

Jamison was born and raised in Indianapolis and began taking music lessons at age 5. After high school, she took classes at Grace College for music and at the University of Indianapolis for music education. She graduated from Grace College with a Bachelor of Science in intercultural studies and a double minor in music and education with the intention to teach abroad.

“Intercultural studies sent me to Cameroon for three months where I taught piano to local choir directors. That field of study taught me how to work in different cultural contexts and learn about the layers that make up a culture. I learned how to communicate. I learned what different people value. I learned about different lifestyles and how to work in that context.”

Jamison has had a layered background and has loved each layer. She taught private violin lessons while a student in high school and college. She and her friend co-founded Mia Lauren Co. and played for weddings, special occasions and churches. She played for Symphony of the Lakes in Warsaw.

After college, Jamison backpacked with her cousins through Europe for two months and taught herself how to play the ukulele. “They took pictures of me with my ukulele with the most fabulous European backdrops.”

After backpacking, Jamison moved to Atlanta. She then taught music and math at Artios Academies, a performing arts program. There she also did the choir program and gave piano lessons. After a year, she moved back to Indianapolis and began playing piano for a church and then hired in at a small Christian school, where she taught all grades of music as well as middle school math.

Before moving to Syracuse, Jamison taught at Tindley Genesis Academy and the Oaks Academy. “I was Oaks Plus coordinator for all the child care and extracurricular activities. I absolutely loved that job.”

As a full-time Syracuse resident, Jamison is continuing her love of teaching as a substitute in the West Noble School Corporation. She also gives private piano and violin lessons at Grace Lutheran Church. “I have three piano and two violin students now and other students starting soon,” said Jamison.

Songwriting is also a part of Jamison’s background. “I have written songs since I was in high school. While in college, I took a summer study with a local music writer and publisher in Indianapolis and learned how to write songs. Someday I hope to publish songs. I may teach voice and ukulele in the future,” said Jamison.

You can find Jamison’s music page on Instagram at Sunflower_Studios 46567.