Obie Liz

Tamara Myles is a classical pianist, writer, producer, and composer from Jackson, MS. She expressed an early interest in music and dedicated much of her childhood to honing the skills of classical piano under the tutelage of Ms. Ernestine Ross. While she was privileged to find influence among many musicians and music educators throughout her life, she was blessed to have been taught personally by some of the most well-respected and legendary music teachers in Mississippi, such as the late Mrs. Elaine Johnson, Mr. Melvin Champ, Mrs. Debra Mayes-Jackson, Ms. Marquise Ezell, the late Mr. Joe Mitchell, and previously mentioned, Ms. Ernestine Ross.

Tamara is a two-time alumnus of Jackson State University where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Master of Music Education degrees. As a freshman, Tamara entered the studio of Dr. Karen Laubengayer, who took the reins as her college piano professor. During her time at JSU, she was a member of “The Sonic Boom of the South” Marching Band under the direction of Director of Bands, Dr. Lewis Liddell, Sr., Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Magruder, and assistant band directors, Dr. David Ware and Mr. Joe Ringold. After marching one year in the band as a piccolo player, Tamara dared to shoot for another childhood dream and auditioned for the position of drum major of the historic band. Her sophomore year at the university, she became the first female drum major in the history of ”The Sonic Boom of the South.” The following year marked the first of two years she served as head drum major of THEE best band in the land. Tamara is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, of which she pledged sisterhood as an undergrad at JSU.

Tamara never misses an opportunity to express how extremely honored and humbled she is to have had the opportunity to be in the presence of such greatness at Jackson State University. She credits all of these individuals who touched her life in some way, including the late Drs. Dollye M. E. Robinson (former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts), Jimmie James, Jr. (former Music Department Chair and Voice of the Sonic Boom), and Marshall Longmire (former Professor of Science); Drs. Russell Thomas, Kermit Holly, London Branch, Johnny Anthony, and Mr. Dowell Taylor (all of the JSU Music Department); as well as Dr. Hilliard Lackey (past National Alumni Association President of JSU and visiting professor), Rev. Barron Banks (Department of History and Philosophy visiting professor) and many, many more. Tamara shares the sentiment of her university family’s affectionate declaration…”THEE I LOVE!”

After receiving her masters degree, Tamara began her personal journey as a teacher. First as a private piano instructor, and then as a public school educator. Her final years in public school education were at her very own high school alma mater, Callaway High School, where she served as Director of the Callaway Singers. The daughter of two educators, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Myles and the late Dr. Obadiah Myles, she feels that God blessed her to become a teacher as well in order to gain insight concerning the world around her, policies that govern the growth of schools and communities, as well as the needs and nature of people. She credits God, her parents, family, friends, and students as the anchors that keep her grounded through every endeavor she challenges herself to conquer.

Tamara has since earned the Master of Philosophy degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in education, both from Walden University. While she has always loved traditional production for artists, Tamara has a burning passion for orchestral and theatrical works in film as well. She is the owner and founder of both Talemy and Opus 11 Productions, companies designed with this very intention in mind - to produce and compose unique, exhilarating, and truly musical creative works that entertain and inspire.

So, who is Obie Liz®? In her own words…

Thank you for being interested enough to read this far! It was the loss of my parents that forced me to acknowledge the fragility of life in a more personal way. Even more so, the inspiration their lives continue to have on me becomes more and more evident each day. My mother and father taught me the importance of love, family, honesty, forgiveness, teaching, preparing, hard work, giving back, reaching back, and most importantly, following Christ. They made me who I am today. So I honor them by carrying their names. They live on beyond me…and they live on through me. I am Obie Liz®.

In this site you will find a little bit of everything. I consider myself a student and lifelong learner of many things. More importantly, I enjoy reaching for my best, encouraging others to do the same, and sharing a tad bit of my journey along the way. I love God, family, friends, music, humor, and being out in nature. Gardening, reading a good book, sharing in devotions with friends, researching, and movie/documentary watching are a few more of my favorite pastimes…and that’s just the beginning!

This website is mostly all about what I do professionally. The blog, however, is a glimpse into my personal philosophy, which I make a point to live by each day. That is, remaining mindful of the physical, dietary, emotional, spiritual, and self-awareness aspects of my life in order to maintain balance and peace. In doing so, I am fit to grow my God-given gifts. This is my true purpose. This is your true purpose!

Obie Liz®