Laura Nortwen

Oboe

Oboist Laura Nortwen is also an Administrative Assistant at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. Prior to joining the SPCM, she was the office manager and oboe specialist at Midwest Musical Imports, a double reed specialty shop which serves the national and international double reed communities. Laura earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa and her Master of Music Degree from the University of Minnesota. Her teachers have included Rachel Brudnoy, James Lakin, Carl Holub and Rhadames Angelucci. An avid freelance performer, she has performed with many ensembles over the past 25 years, including the Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Minnesota Sinfonia, Minnesota Opera, and numerous chamber music groups. She was tenured oboe instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College for 12 years, and has also taught at Bethel College and in the Owatonna School system. Laura has often served as an adjudicator for musical organizations, including the Schubert Club, Minnesota Orchestra WAMSO and YPSCA Competitions, Thursday Musical, Minnetonka Orchestral Association, and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. Besides working with the SPCM, she also maintains a small private oboe studio in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Laura looks forward to one day using all of her old reed shavings to fuel a very nice fire in her outdoor firepit.