How the GRCC Music program changed Shawn Lawton’s career path
November 4, 2024 Have you ever taken an abrupt left turn in life because of something a teacher said? Shawn Lawton credits retired Grand Rapids Community College Music Department member Duane Davis with redirecting his entire career path. “I don’t remember why I started singing in middle school,” Lawton said. “I had a phenomenal teacher and I did well, but I had no particular aspiration to sing. The high school choir director specifically came and recruited me to sing in high school, too. Our chamber group was one of the top three in the state. I sang in three musicals. I loved the performing arts, but I never saw myself having a career there.” So, Lawton graduated from high school and decided to pursue an Accounting Degree at GRCC. “I had a great accounting teacher in high school,” Lawton said. “I thought it would make a good career.” While at GRCC, Lawton auditioned for the jazz choir, Shades of Blue , one of the many musical ensembles open to GRCC students. Lawton made the group, and was happily pursuing an Accounting Degree while also singing. That’s when the left turn happened. “Duane Davis, the incredible Shades of Blue director, called me into his office one day,” Lawton says. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘You need to be a music educator.’ I was scared to death! I didn’t have a piano background. I didn’t know much theory. I went home and told my parents. My dad said I was crazy. But something inside me resonated with the idea, and so I changed majors.” Lawton earned an Associate of Music Degree from GRCC before transferring to Western Michigan University. Lawton says the smaller classes and attention he received at GRCC were the keys to his survival. “Let me be clear…this was not easy,” Lawton said. “I had to work really hard to catch up. But the Music Department faculty was top notch. They prepared me extremely well and they believed in me. I learned to play every instrument. I took voice lessons. I learned theory. I didn’t come from a particularly musical family, so I had a mountain of work to do. The professors made me want to do the work. I transferred to Western fully prepared.” After graduation, Lawton moved to Chicago for a few years before returning to West Michigan with his wife, Molly. Lawton accepted the position of director of choirs at Mona Shores High School in 1993, and has influenced thousands of young lives with his passion for music. Lawton recently announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. In a fitting bit of serendipity, his successor is a former student. After a lifetime of professional success, Lawton still credits GRCC for inspiring and preparing him. Lawton encourages aspiring music professionals to consider one of the four degree options available through the music department. “GRCC is the perfect stepping stone to a musical career,” Lawton said. “The program instructors are amazing, as is the individualized support. The classes are small. Tuition is far less than a four-year university. You can graduate from GRCC fully prepared to go on and succeed. I am so grateful for my time at GRCC and the connections I made.” Lawton notes that the story has one more happy ending. “Yes, my dad did finally apologize for calling me crazy!” This story was reported by Julie Hordyk. The photograph is courtesy of Jessica Lawton.