Okay, you've probably heard of "Glee," the new hit show that just about every teenager (and teenager at heart) watches these days. I love it, too - mostly because it brings me back to my "glee" days.

Yeah, it's true, I was a Gleek. I was in Concert Choir (the one that you sing in wearing a velvet robe). I was in Swing Choir (think jazz.)

But that's only the beginning. I was also in the "Choraliers" (younger singers) and I was in another small group ensemble. I took voice lessons. You get the drift. When in doubt, I sang.

I loved the singing, loved the camaraderie, and loved the harmony. I also loved my high school music teacher - until I quit choir in a rage.

Yeah, it's true. I quit the very thing that I felt, in so many ways, defined my high school experience.

My high school choir teacher was famous in music circles. He was amazing, and we all knew it. I adored him, and looked up to him. He used to hang out with us, take us to dinner. He was supportive, creative, and funny.

We went to Disneyland one year to perform and I remember sitting next to him on the bus and talking for a long time, about my dreams, my plans. He was amazing. And I was a leader in the choir, a strong singer he loved to harmonize.

Yet, I had a loud voice (still do). So if I was off-key, I took the rest of the altos with me. Anyway, he began to ride me hard, getting very frustrated. He yelled at me a lot in class.

One day, I blew, marched to the counselor's office, and asked him to pull me out of all music. I remember at the time, my boyfriend (then in college and having a bit of a better perspective) urged me to calm my temper and stay in choir. He told me I would regret it. I laughed him off and went with my gut.

My choir teacher asked me to stick with it. He called, he wrote a letter. He also said I would regret it. I decided I knew best (as kids do at 17) and left it behind.

A few months passed. We all graduated. I sat in the front row with my buddies at commencement. But oh my, it was so hard to watch my choir sing. I sat there and watched them sing one of my favorite songs, as they all held hands and fought emotions and performed in front of a huge crowd at the Puyallup Fairgrounds Grandstand.

I would like to say I was proud of my decision. The truth is, I regretted it profoundly in that moment. It was an amazing part of my life, ending in a way very different than I expected.

As it turned out, I fell out of love with music for about 20 years. I dabbled occasionally, but really it took me about two decades to find my love again, and I have been going full-steam at it now for about seven years.

I love the harmony. I love the camaraderie. I love the feeling of performing and the high of the audience. I even love the sadness of saying goodbye to a production. And I am not going to stop until they drag me off the stage.

I have thought often over the years about my choir teacher. Lately, I find myself googling him once in a while. He continued to earn accolades, and has spent his life teaching high school and college music.

Sometimes, when I think about him, or when I watch "Glee" with my kids, I find myself wishing I could pick up the phone and call him.
I think this is what I would tell him:

"I know it has been almost 30 years now, but I remember you so vividly. You made a difference in my life, and taught me so much of what I know today. Sometimes in rehearsals, as I find myself sitting up straight and supporting my breath, I think of you. Sometimes, when I find the perfect harmony, and bring down the volume to blend a bit, I think of you.

I wish I would have known in high school what an amazing teacher I had in you. I wish you could have been a bit easier on me, but you couldn't know how sensitive I was back then.

I wish I would have sung with you guys at graduation so long ago. I think you would be glad to see me out there today, singing my heart out.

And my kids sing, too! Our whole family loves music. And hey, by the way? In case I never said it? Thank you."

So there he was, my own Mr. Schuster (the teacher on "Glee.") I was lucky to have him. And here's a lesson for you kids. You know how you all think "Glee" is so cool, and the singing is great?

It is indeed. But you know what? I always thought we were kind of cool, too.

Lauri Hennessey is an avid singer and former choir geek who watches "Glee" with her kids each week.