Meet Laura
A native of Venezuela, Laura began her musical studies at the age of 7 in the Conservatory “Vicente Emilio Sojo” in her hometown Barquisimeto, where she received training in music theory, music history, and performance (solo, symphony and chamber orchestra). Three years later, she started to play in chamber and professional symphony orchestras in Venezuela, including the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. In 2009, Laura and her husband moved to Memphis, Tennessee to pursue graduate studies at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of music in the University of Memphis. In the academic field she earned a Graduate Assistantship and the Elba Gandy scholarship; on the performance side, she got the first chair in the cello section of the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra and also played in the Contemporary Chamber Players Ensemble. In 2012 she obtained the Master’s Degree in Cello Performance.
Since 2012, Laura has been devoting most of her time to teaching. During her time in Memphis, she divided her teaching time between a small private studio (traditional lessons) and the Bellevue School of Performing Arts where she taught Suzuki group and individual lessons. In 2015, Laura moved to Katy, TX and started her private studio where she teaches children of all ages and levels. Her students are thriving in the most demanding auditions that range from UIL and Region Competitions, Honor Orchestras, first stand positions in Local Symphony Orchestras, International Summer Camps, Soloist Contests and College applications in cello performance major. In addition, she was a private instructor in the Katy ISD for a year. She received her training in Suzuki Method in the Chicago Suzuki Institute, Greater Austin Suzuki Institute, and Dallas Suzuki Institute. Laura is also a member of the Houston Professional Musicians’ Association, Suzuki Association of the Americas, American Strings Teachers Association and South Texas Suzuki Association. She also works as a freelance professional cellist and has played in chamber groups and Symphony Orchestras in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas. She is a founding member of the Fine Arts Ensemble of Houston, that started the first season of concerts on January 2019 all over Houston and surrounding areas.