About Us

Information

Great Lakes Adventist Academy seeks to bring its students a broad education that will prepare them for a life of Christian service. As part of this education, we offer many opportunities to participate in a variety of choral and instrumental music experiences, ranging from private lessons and small ensembles to the Bell Choir, Choir, Chamber Singers, String Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Philharmonic Orchestra. Each group is dedicated to personal musical improvement, performing quality music, and most importantly, sharing the gospel through their music.

The combined ensembles of the GLAA Music Department give over 50 performances around Michigan each year, plus a weeklong tour outside the state. Previous long tour destinations include New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Our students come from all over the country and the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Rwanda and South Korea.

Biographies

Marguerite Samuel – Choral Director

Marguerite Samuel, a native of the Bahamas, has always enjoyed the ministry of music. While attending Christian schools, she took part in many different musical organizations. As a soprano, she has been featured as a soloist in many concerts, recitals, weddings, and other events.

In May of 2006, she graduated from Andrews University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Mrs. Samuel is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, and is currently the director of the choral and string program at Great Lakes Adventist Academy.

Byron Graves – Instrumental Director

Byron Graves is director of the Wind Symphony and Bell Choir at Great Lakes Adventist Academy and Cedar Lake Elementary. He also leads the Music Scholarship Program and teaches the woodwind, percussion, low brass, and double bass lessons. Previous teaching positions include Union Springs Academy in upstate New York and Ruth Murdoch Elementary School in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Mr. Graves is a graduate of Andrews University with degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education. In addition to music, Mr. Graves also enjoys many outdoor pursuits including running, canoeing, backpacking, and mountaineering.

Leila van der Molen

Leila van der Molen, originally from South Africa, has been teaching keyboard for over 40 years. Prior to becoming the piano and organ teacher at Great Lakes Adventist Academy, Ms. van der Molen taught at Upper Columbia Academy in Washington and Campion Academy in Colorado.

Ms. van der Molen also teaches elementary music at Cedar Lake Elementary School. When she is not teaching lessons, Ms. van der Molen can be found in her garden cultivating tomatoes or attending classical music concerts.

Adjunct Teachers

Mark Adams – Brass
Sarah Strane – Violin, Viola
Ben Gudbrandson – Cello