Accomplishments:

2009 – 2010 Advanced Piano

2008 – 2009 Advanced Piano

2008 – 2009 Outstanding piano student Greiner Middle School

2007 – 2008 Outstanding piano student Greiner Middle School


I’m Imani Hunter Harris, and I play the piano. I’ve been playing the piano since 4th grade at Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard Elementary School.

I attended W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy Middle School for 3 years. I am currently a student at the Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing and Visual Arts. My sister JaNone LaShawn Greer inspired me to start playing the piano. She showed me how to play the treble clef part of a song, while she was playing the bass clef part. I liked playing it so much that I wanted to learn the bass clef part because it sounded better together. My mom told me that when I was a baby she would sit me down at the piano, and I wouldn’t bang on it, but I would actually press one key at a time with a big smile on my face. The piano has helped me to become the person I am today. As a result of the piano, when I hear songs I don’t just hear the lyrics and the beat, but I can tell how many instruments are in the song. I can also name all of instruments in a song. I hear the harmony in songs and this skill helps me a lot in my youth chorus at church.

My extracurricular activities include the Grace Dance Ministry at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church (SLCUMC), where our teacher, Jennifer Adams, choreographs dances for us to do on special occasions. LEBY Youth Choir at SLCUMC, where our choir director, Tamika Beasley, teaches us Christian songs to sing at Youth Church. I’m a Cadette Girl Scout for Northeast Texas at SLCUMC, where we work on Girl Scout Badges and Awards. I am also involved with the Loaves and Fishes Ministry at SLCUMC where we feed the homeless at the Martin Luther King Center.

The people who inspire me to keep playing the piano are Ms. Monya Logan because when I see her play I’m amazed at how good she is and it makes me want to be that good. My piano teacher Mr. Elbert Hensley is also a source of encouragement. My dad really pushes me to keep on going with piano because he sees that I’m good and I have fun. Ms. Peacock, my first piano teacher, helped me the most. Although I rarely see her, I know she is cheering me on. When I grow up I want to be a music director at a church or be a singer and artist like Alicia Keys. I also want to travel around the world and help people. I want to participate in as many high school activities and programs as I can. My future plans are to attend Julliard and pursue a career in piano.

See the rest of the recipients of the Texas Girls' State Fair by visiting www.thewomensmuseum.org/txgirlsstatefair.