Inspirational and influential Houston music personality/teacher Hal Lanier passed away from post-surgery complications Tuesday afternoon.

What had started as a manageable pain in Lanier's leg on New Year’s Eve, turned out to be an aortic aneurysm that required open-heart surgery. Although he survived the procedure, complications with his kidneys during recovery claimed one of Houston’s most admired and respected pedagogues in the music world and beyond.

Originally from Atlanta, Lanier received his degree of Master of Music in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying under the instruction Martin Katz at the University of Michigan and served on the faculty of the Houston Grand Opera Studio and Rice University.

Lanier also made his mark as a creator. The premiere of some of his works were heard alongside compositions of Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland.

“Hal was an unapologetic Southerner,” Chris Johnson, host of KUHF's Afternoon Concert, said. “He had a way of connecting with any person regardless of who they were, where they came from, who they knew and what they knew. Everyone, from the celebrated to folks you would be scared to associate with, loved him. Hal made you feel special and loved being around people.”

Though Lanier's collaboration with Cesare Siepi, famed basso at the Metropolitan Opera, left a high mark in opera, his true passion centered around helping young artists gain footing in the industry. Often, he shared his knowledge and time for free.

He was the principal coach for the Moores Opera Center at the University of Houston, assisting in preparing young voices for performing fully-staged opera performances. He had a gift for bringing the best out in his pupils, often serving as a mentor through and post studies.

"Hal was an extremely versatile musician who thoroughly understood operatic, cabaret and musical theater styles and loved them all," Buck Ross, director of Moores Opera Center, said. "He was devoted to the students here at the Moores Opera Center and his expertise, enthusiasm and sheer delight in music were unique and irreplaceable."

"He was infectious," said Jenni-Rebecca Stephenson, executive director at Spacetaker and of Lanier's former students. "One of the really refreshing things about Hal is that even though he had been around the block more than a few times, he still embodied a childlike wonder. He was genuinely involved with music and art. He is an institution."

“He had a way of anticipating musical phrasing, breathing and emotion unlike anyone,” Johnson said. “He thrived on making others look good on stage. If he wasn’t noticed, Hal was satisfied. He was an extraordinary man.”

The success of his pedagogical style was attributed to his inextinguishable high energy in working with young musicians. His entertaining and sympathetic approach made it easy for him to relate to students while allowing them room to grow artistically, professional and personally. As a curriculum designer, Lanier was in tune with student needs vocally and emotionally.

"His classes included a little diction and then would turn anecdotal: Half instruction and half cabaret," Stephenson said. "The impact on the students was amazing."

His motto on his website said it clearly: “I have a great life in music, and I make it my business to see that my students, clients and colleagues are having one, too!”

Details for his funeral and memorial have not been finalized.