IA Okma Campus’ Music Faculty
Eric LaNoue
About Mr. LaNoue
Eric LaNoue started teaching at the IA in August 2012, teaching Band, Choir, DP Music, and Theory of Knowledge. Here, he has been thrilled to work with such brilliant student-musicians, passionate and talented faculty, and supportive administrators and community members.
Prior to joining the music faculty at the IA, Mr. LaNoue completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Michigan State University. While at MSU, Mr. LaNoue was a member of the trombone studio, studying under professor Ava Ordman. He performed with the MSU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Salsa Verde, Spartan Marching Band, and Honors Brass Quintet. While at MSU, Mr. LaNoue also performed with the Lansing Symphony and Midland Symphonies. Upon graduation he received the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship for graduating with the highest GPA in the University. He is currently completing his Master of Music in Music Education, also at Michigan State University, where he is a New Directions Fellow.
A native of Michigan, Mr. LaNoue was raised in the city of Grand Haven. He now resides in Royal Oak with his wife Michele, a clarinetist and private music teacher, and daughter Clara. His interests and pastimes include writing and recording music, cooking, traveling, and cheering on the Spartans.
Mr. LaNoue’s Philosophy…
Of Education
- Public education creates increasingly informed citizens, who are more equipped to contribute to society.
- Education allows students the opportunity to explore possible careers and interests.
- Education helps socialize students with their peers and learn to negotiate complex relationships and responsibilities.
- Public education encourages students’ curiosity, and cultivates lifelong learners.
- Education can and should be a force for social justice, allowing students to gain access to future opportunities not because of their background, but because of their effort, intellect, and achievement.
Of Music Education
- Music education exposes students to forms of music they might not otherwise encounter.
- Music education develops audiational skills that can be applied to any kind of music for the rest of their lives, as performers, creators, or listeners.
- Music education helps students connect to many cultures, including their own, historically and currently, and in a more informed and analytical way.
- Music education cultivates virtues of commitment, responsibility to the group or team, patience, and commitment to excellence.
- Music education can and should give students new ways to express themselves as individuals.
- Music education should reflect the needs and interests of the students, their community, and their culture.