Meet the Leaders: Neptune Middle School Chorus Director Laura Hollander

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP - TAPinto Neptune recently interviewed Ms. Laura Hollander, who serves as Neptune Middle School's Chorus Director, entering her 17th year in the district.  Ms. Hollander is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (2001) and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins (2003), holding two degrees in Bassoon Performance. Ms. Hollander shares that her experience of soloing with orchestras, touring across the country, playing locally, as well as giving masterclasses and running a private studio allows her to share her experiences and give back to her community and empower youth by using music as a tool of self-expression and finding their own voice from within.

TAPinto Neptune:  How long have you been teaching chorus at Neptune Middle School?

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LH:  I have been teaching at Neptune Middle School for 16 years.

TN:  What is your favorite memory from your time at NMS?

LH:  Almost every day is a memory because every day is different. Every day we are making memories. Every day we are connecting and sharing, whether it be laughing, singing, performing, crying, or just talking.

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TN:  Do your students ever go on to pursue music professionally after NMS?

LH:  I have known a few students to go on to pursue careers in music, whether it be music education, writing and producing, or going to school for audio engineering. Many that have stayed in touch with me tell me they still perform somewhere in their lives. Most will tell me even if they do not perform, they gained a skill they learned in my class that helped them in their careers, such as performing a solo, which allowed them to be more confident when they had to give a speech.

TN:  How do you choose the songs that the chorus will perform?

LH:  Picking songs requires a few steps. I listen and talk to my students about what they are passionate about. What causes they might stand for, the types of music they like or what they are listening to and base the majority of songs off of their "voices". music gives a voice, therefore the music we do, I feel, needs to represent who they are and what they stand for. Although we do standard music as well students need and want to feel heard and what better way than through music? I also try to update songs and create arrangements that include rap, choreography, technology to keep the program and the music updated. When the world is constantly evolving, we need to evolve with it as well, keeping the traditional form still intact.

TN:  What is the most difficult part of your job?

LH:  The most difficult part of my job is taking such a wide range of personalities and transforming them into a family that works together.

TN:  What is your favorite part of your job?

LH:  My favorite part of my job is seeing the growth of my students. Middle school is a really hard time for most and to come into a performance class requires a certain amount of vulnerability and trust. Students learn to express themselves, gain confidence, learn teamwork, to sing solo, learn to make friends with people they may never have interacted with before. It is such a great feeling to watch as they find themselves through music and the music classroom and to be a part of that growth. I have seen students who would not even speak in class eventually taking on a solo or even taking on a lead in a school musical. It is my job to support their growth and nudge them along and lead the way, but ultimately, with enough trust and encouragement, the students flourish and that is so amazing to watch.

TN:  What kind of performance do you do outside of school?

LH:  Outside of my role as a music educator, I am a professional musician and play piano and bassoon. I have played with the Garden State Philharmonic, Monmouth Symphony, Garden State Opera, Count Basie Theatre, Algonquin Theatre, Premiere Theatre. I have played throughout the country performing with hundreds of groups.

TN:  Do the students ever get to perform outside of school?

LH:  I take the students to perform mostly for the community. It is important for us to build connections and bring harmony to the community. Music is something most of us have in common, and it is meant to bring people together and appreciate one another. We perform at least twice a year at Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, among other local events. It is important for our students to be seen and heard as well as supported. I believe it is a give and take and, without the support of our community, these programs cannot exist.

TN:  Why is music a critical part of public school education?

LH:  Music education is so important to the public school systems because it teaches all the subjects in one. It is the creative process of the mind and feelings. It requires discipline, hard work, work ethic, creativity and community. It allows students who may not feel accepted to be accepted. Music education supports personal growth and achievements. It allows us to show students that when there are mistakes, sometimes those mistakes are artwork and create something beautiful, it does not always have to be a negative. It is social and many students spend more than 1 year, in a music program where we, as teachers, get to see the growth and build reports and connections with the students and their families, therefore a sense of partnership and community. It also brings a sense of community and warmth to the school every single day. When a student may have an off day, they have a space to express it and feel safe doing so. We are truly a family.

The Neptune Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Laura Hollander, and the Neptune Middle School Band, are performing their Spring Concert on May 15th at 6:30 PM.  It will take place at the Neptune High School auditorium and is open to the public.

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