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Name: Snezana E. Lazich

Position & school(s): Monticello High School Choral Music Teacher

How long have you been teaching? 8 years

Where did you go to college? What degrees do you hold? Bachelor of Music in Music Education K-12 from the Duquesne University and Florida State.

Any awards/accomplishments? Any claims to fame? Duquesne University, Tamburitzan - was chosen by a student to be an honored teacher in Who's Who Among Teachers.

What’s your favorite part of your job? Making music together with my students.

Why did you become a music teacher? I have always been exposed to music.  My father is a choral director and an opera singer; my mother is a Serbian folk singer and a classical music soloist.  When I teach music, I cannot think of another place that I would rather be.

Did you do anything else before you became a music teacher? Yes, I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA.

In your opinion, why do you think music education is important? Everyone listens to music.  It is imbedded in our society, whether it is a jingle in a commercial, a song on the radio or singing in a choir.  Music education provides an emotional outlet for students.  It has many other benefits as well.  Students who participate in music programs in school think more creatively, develop self-expression, teamwork skills and self-discipline.  This provides the student with the proper skills to survive in the workplace after graduation.

How has music influenced your life? Music has always put me back on the right path in life.

Who is your favorite musician? I have so many "favorite" musicians.  They range anywhere from ethnic folk music (Bajaga and Bilja) to romantic classical music (Puccini and Tchaikovsky) to contemporary music (KT Tunstall).

What CD is in your CD player right now? Bajaga (Serbian folk music)

What are your hobbies? Art and traveling

What advice would you offer to an aspiring musician? "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."