Tyneisha (Neisha) Grace spent years as a massage therapist, and when she decided to change careers, she chose to study at Montgomery County Community College, initially for its affordability. Today, she is grateful to the institution for so much more.

All my professors were amazing. They made me feel as if I learned so much, so quickly and really prepared me for West Chester University.

The 29-year-old from Jenkintown cites Montco’s reputation for encouraging students to take the time to figure out what they really want to do while taking their general education courses. Grace, who loves to sing and who grew up as an active member of her church’s music program, learned she could major in music without breaking the bank.

Today, the singer-songwriter talks glowingly about her Montco professors, especially her music instructors, including Lloyda Camacho, Sara McClure and Andrew Kosciesza.

“All my professors were amazing,” says Grace. “They made me feel as if I learned so much, so quickly and really prepared me for West Chester University.”

“I just wanted to sing and wasn’t crazy about having to take music theory and ear training and other classes, but I grew to like them, and now realize that I became a better musician because of them. They helped make me who I am today,” she adds. “And since I want to keep writing and recording, one day, I hope to make a living writing songs.”

Grace graduated from Montco in 2012 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in voice from West Chester in 2016. She also earned a minor in Psychology in preparation for the possibility of continuing to earn a master’s degree in music therapy someday. While at Montco, she worked two jobs in addition to singing in the College’s choirs.

As her career began to take shape—Grace began to write songs and sing in a folk duo—she met other musicians and began to carve out her own niche.

Shortly after graduation, she was hired by the Music Nation Academy in Doylestown, where she taught voice and piano. She quickly fell in love with teaching—with watching students get better as they learn—and uses lessons learned from her professors as she does so.

Now Grace has opened her own traveling studio, and she teaches piano and voice in students’ homes.

Last year, she recorded her first single, Lovestruck, released through Spotify, iTunes and other digital platforms on October 12, 2018, and released the music video on October 21, 2018. Grace wrote the song and accompanies Natalie Weiss, a contemporary musical theater performer, who played Elphaba in the traveling “Wicked,” and is in the movie, “The Greatest Showman,” and often is seen on YouTube.

“Natalie knows her voice so well that it was a little overwhelming working with her in the studio, but it really helped fine-tune my ear,” Grace said.

Grace is currently working on an EP to be released in the near future. You can listen to her music on Spotify by searching on her name, “Neisha Grace.” In addition, listen to Tyneisha (Neisha) Grace as she shares her journey on MCCC on the Air’s podcast.