“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato

Welcome to Second Stanza Music, owned and operated by Laurie Mayfield in Suwanee, GA. For over three decades, Laurie has taught music to dozens of students of all ages.

From taking lessons as a toddler to receiving rigorous professional training at Brenau University, Laurie exudes a teaching technique and philosophy as diverse as her musical journey and style.

A majority of Second Stanza Music teachers are Laurie’s advanced former or current students whom she has nurtured for many years.

About Us

Second Stanza Music currently has over 30 students ranging in ages from 4 to 63. Rather than advertising, we rely on word-of-mouth for recommendations.

Our teachers recognize everyone has a unique learning style. We start students exactly where they are.

From beginners and professionals to students coming from another instrument or teacher, we firmly believe in the importance of discerning a student’s individual strengths and areas for improvement.

Biography

Laurie can’t recall a day when music hasn’t been a huge part of her life. She has always taught, performed, conducted or accompanied choirs, and coached.

Laurie’s first music teacher was her mother, Jo Ann, a church pianist for over 60 years. Jo Ann put Laurie on the piano bench at age 2 and soon taught her improvisational skills. With exposure to sacred music, Laurie learned about harmony and by age four started singing in front of large audiences.

Growing up, Laurie had a variety of music teachers who exposed her to many genres of music. She developed a love for many types of music and enjoys finding the qualities of each piece she encounters.

As an adult, Laurie studied violin and string orchestration under Linda Williams, previously a teacher with Atlanta Strings and a violist with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

On scholarship at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, Laurie obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a major in piano and a minor in voice. She studied piano, music theory, and music history under her most influential piano teacher, Professor of Music Dr. Priscilla Jefcoat.

Dr. Jefcoat fine tuned Laurie’s talent and pushed her beyond her comfort zone. Laurie lives by the adage Dr. Jefcoat passed to her : “Don’t merely teach the student music. Teach the entire child.”

Also at Brenau, Laurie studied under Dr. Michelle Reoche who is currently the Director of Chorale Studies and Professor of Music at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas. She taught Laurie conducting, choir, language enunciation, and vocal techniques.

Laurie sang and traveled with Dr. Reoche’s elite Chamber Choir. One of the most memorable moments was performing with the choir at Ground Zero a few months after 9/11.

Services

“There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself.” Johann Sebastian Bach

 We provide a variety of services. If you need assistance in an area not listed below, we’re happy to put you in touch with our colleagues in the music and entertainment industries.

The following lessons are available in both individual and group settings. Lessons are offered weekly, biweekly, and as needed such as when a student is preparing for a performance or audition.

  • Piano
  • Voice
  • Violin (Beginner)
  • Guitar (Beginner)
  • Music Theory
  • Musical Theater
  • Conducting
  • Accompaniment
  • Ear Training
  • Sight Reading
  • Orchestration
  • Tutoring (provided by Laurie’s daughter Brittany – please visit thewritereason.com)

Contact Us

To get in touch with us, please email, call, or complete the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Email: secondstanzamusic@gmail.com

Phone: 678.469.2118

Contact form coming soon!!!!