Outstanding Teacher Award

Lenell Davis

2023 Recipient

Lenell Davis began piano lessons around age 7 in Hattiesburg. When her family moved back to Louisiana, she studied with a teacher at Loyola University. She entered LSU at age 16, graduated with a music degree at age 20, and earned both state and national certification. She began teaching in 1956 and, almost 70 years later, still maintains an active studio. Lenell raised four children with her husband while teaching the entire time.

Her students have won top prizes in local and state competitions and have gone on to many professions. Past students include an LMTA Commissioned Composer who currently teaches at Northwestern in Natchitoches, an opera singer who tours the world, and a Broadway producer. She has taught multiple generations of several families in her community, and they all talk about her with fondness for the incredible music and knowledge she has shared over the years.

Sharing her wonderful talent and offering comfort, Lenell has played piano at the Cancer Center, and for hospitalized patients during COVID. She volunteered at the local high school to help students prepare auditions for the senior play and volunteered at church whenever a pianist was needed.

A decades-long colleague and friend described this year’s Outstanding Teacher as always being there, encouraging other teachers to keep students working and performing at whatever level they were capable of. This colleague said “She always encouraged us as teachers, thus opening the world of music to more students than you can count.” She continues to be a guiding and inspiring force.

Lenell is a founding member of the Northshore MTA and has served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. She has been the District Rally Chair. She also co-founded the Piano Virtuoso Competition held by NSMTA and served as chairman for several years.