Laurie Plate
Laurie Plate has served as the Director of Fine Arts at Cornerstone Christian Academy since 2011. Originally from Wisconsin, Laurie attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Piano Performance. After graduating, Laurie became a Board Certified Music Therapist. She completed her internship at St. Mary’s Hill Hospital, before serving for eight years as a Music Therapist at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Center.
In 1995, Laurie and her husband, Scott, moved to Atlanta following a job transfer. Laurie felt called to a career shift into Christian music education. She began her teaching career as a preschool teacher and later moved into elementary education when Alpharetta First United Methodist opened a K-5 school. After 13 years at Alpharetta Methodist, Laurie joined Cornerstone. Laurie has continued to expand her training and expertise. She earned her Master of Orff Certification through four summers of training intensives and has taught piano for 35 years. At Cornerstone, she directs the Applied Lessons Program in piano and voice and produces and directs the school’s musical theater productions. She also enjoys writing original songs and narration for school plays and programs. The Plates live in Milton and they have two married children, Matthew (Kiley) and Rachel (José) and one grandson. She and her family are members of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alpharetta.