Everyone has story to tell. Whether simple of complex, profound or funny, MI Lake Life tells those stories and how the thread of LMC weaves through them.
“For two years, I’ve worked at Brandywine High School as the Band Assistant. The way I was hired really came down to timing. I graduated from Brandywine in 2024 and decided on a career in tool & die machining. That summer, I worked as an apprentice and found that I did not like my job.
When fall came around, my band director, Ruth Livengood, reached out to me as the position for a Band Assistant opened up. I had volunteered over the summer for the marching season, and she thought I would be a great fit for the job. I took that opportunity not knowing it would be the perfect thing to push me to change my career.
As Band Assistant, I work with grades 6-12 doing things behind the scenes to make Mrs. Livengood's job a little easier. Sometimes I play in the band to help students understand the music. I also help students one-on-one during class or in private lessons.
While doing this, I studied music at Lake Michigan College. I chose LMC because it was close to home and I heard about the Jazz Band and the great music faculty. Also, tuition was free through the LMC Guarantee so I could continue my education without worrying too much about finances.
In college, I played in Jazz Band and Brass Club where we toured nearby high schools to perform. I also performed at many recitals held in the Mendel Center on both trumpet and trombone.
All this led to what’s next. LMC has really prepared me to continue my education at WMU. To be admitted to WMU’s school of music, you have to audition on your main instrument and outperform every other student who also wants to be admitted. There’s a limited number of spots. Without private lessons at LMC that challenged me and helped me improve, I would have never gotten into the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music at WMU.
After WMU, I plan to work as a high school band director, hopefully in Southwest Michigan to be closer to what feels like home. I see myself working at a smaller school, Class D or C, teaching students all about music with the hope of making them feel excited to come to class and learn. I would also love to still perform in groups around the area in my free time.”
Luis Sanchez
2026 LMC Visual & Performing Arts Outstanding Musician of the Year
Posted May 20, 2026