Music has been a constant in La Vern Arrance-Doud’s life. His mother played piano at church, and from an early age he followed her lead. Throughout primary school, he learned the trumpet, baritone horn, French horn, and piano. By 18, he knew what he wanted: to study music in college.
Life, however, had other plans. Now, five decades later, Arrance-Doud is finally pursuing that dream as a student in the Music program at Onondaga Community College - and he’s savoring every moment.
“I had two goals in coming to OCC,” he said. “To feel more comfortable playing in front of people, and to understand more about what I was playing. I’m on the way to achieving both of those.”
Earning the degree, he adds, is more than an academic milestone. “Some people want to climb a mountain. I think this is the biggest bucket list challenge I’ve ever had. The others just take money. This one takes a lot of work!”
Arrance-Doud began checking items off his bucket list in 2023 after retiring from a 26-year career with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department. He started as a corrections counselor and later became a caseworker supervisor.
Even during those decades in public service, music never faded into the background. He kept his passion alive through private piano lessons with Mary Carrington in Baldwinsville. Her encouragement reignited his confidence.
“She worked with me for about seven months before I auditioned,” he said. “Whether I got accepted or not wasn’t important to her. It was more important that I was trying.”
The audition went well. In fall 2025, Arrance-Doud officially became an OCC Music student.
He was no stranger to higher education, having earned degrees decades earlier from SUNY Potsdam and Arizona State University. Still, returning to college and adapting to modern technology required adjustment. He initially enrolled in 15 credits while working part-time weekends. Eventually, he dropped one class and reduced his work schedule to a single day to maintain balance.
This semester, financial support has helped lighten the load. Arrance-Doud received the Moore Music Scholarship through the OCC Foundation, along with a scholarship from Wegmans, where he works part-time.
“I’m now seeing the extreme economic value of a community college,” he said. “It wasn’t something I recognized when I was younger. Back then, my goal was to go to a four-year college.”
Beyond affordability, he’s discovered something even more meaningful: community. “The thing that impresses me most is the amount of support professors give their students,” he said. “They will bend over backwards to help you because they want you to succeed. The Learning Center is one of the biggest assets here. I used the Music tutor at least twice a week during my first semester, and once a week this semester. It’s all made for a very positive experience. The support system is tremendous.”
For Arrance-Doud, the return to music isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about reclaiming a dream and proving that it’s never too late to begin again.
