Interview by Gainesville High School intern Grady Vardeman
Meet Michelle Alexander! Michelle is the Coordinator of Modern Worship & Children’s Music at Gainesville First United Methodist. She is married to local lawyer Mark Alexander and has two sons; Pete and Boone who both attend the University of Georgia. Michelle can play several instruments along with leading music at GFUMC.
We want to thank Michelle for spending time recently with our intern Grady and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I’ve always liked music and have done a lot of music in church when I was a kid. When I first moved to Gainesville I was asked to be on the choir and from there I made it to where I am now.”
Q: What was the first instrument you played?
A: “I grew up playing the piano.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “My favorite restaurant is 2 Dog, I love the food and the atmosphere, but especially Dean Adams. My favorite thing there is the Caesar salads.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “When I first got married I moved here, so I’ve lived in Hall County for 27 years.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I want to go to New Zealand, it’s really beautiful and off the beaten path.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “I love the movie ‘Moonstruck.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Be present.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To do some more travel, to go see more of the world I haven’t seen yet.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I love worship music and my favorite bands I’d like to see are Bethel, 2Pac, Josh Garrels and Rhiannon Giddens.”
Q: What current/former local business makes you most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Lawrence Pharmacy, but more current would have to be Carroll Daniel Construction.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “I love the lake, almost every day I drive past it on the way to work and I try not to take for granted.”
Q: What three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word home?
A: “Love, fun, and joy.”
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture who and had the choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: “Daniel Day-Lewis.”
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: “I would say chef, but I’m married to one. So, I would go with housekeeper.”
Thank you so much for following this community project, The Faces of Hall County! If you have a positive member of our community that you would like to nominate please email Brad Abernathy at rbradabernathy@gmail.com.
