Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Alyese Cross has been playing the piano since she was three years old, so there’s little doubt why she’s chosen the profession she has. 

Cross is about to start a new role at a new school, but she’s going to get to continue sharing her love of music with students. 

Cross has served as the music teacher at LaGrange Academy since 2016 but will be moving to Hollis Hand Elementary School this year to teach music and art. 

“I love being able to combine my passions of the arts and working with children to cultivate a desire and interest for the arts,” Cross said.

Cross, 28, was born in Atlanta, but remembers taking trips to the iconic clothing store on the square Mansour’s with her grandmother as a little girl.

She got married in 2019 to her husband, Jeremy, and moved to Troup County. 

Jeremy is also a teacher in the Troup County School System at Long Cane Middle School and a football coach at Troup High School. 

The couple is expecting their first child in November. They also have a fur baby named Kylie, who is an American Eskimo.

The couple attends ThreeLife Church, where Cross serves as the worship leader. She also helps serve those in need through the church’s feeding program, Pullover. 

On the weekends, Cross also sings and plays the piano at Nutwood Winery. 

“My career aspirations are to continue teaching music to young children and to continue singing and performing in various capacities throughout the community,” she said.

Cross earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from LaGrange College in 2014 and earned a master’s degree in vocal performance from Belmont University in 2016. 

Cross comes from a large family with three sisters and no brothers. 

 She was a cheerleader in college and performed with the Atlanta Opera in the Atlanta Opera Chorus in their 2017 production of “Turandot.”

­ — Story by Daniel Evans, photo by Jenna Oden