Bio
Laura Osterlund is a sought-out American recorder player and a member of a new and upcoming generation of historically informed musicians. At home in baroque, renaissance, medieval, and modern music for the recorder, Laura has performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis in the North American premiere of Handel's Richard the Lionheart, with Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the American premiere of the play Nell Gwynn, for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban live with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and with Cincinnati Opera in its production of Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea. Laura premiered a newly commissioned composition by composer Eric Malmquist as a guest artist with the ensemble Bach + Beethoven Experience. As a founding member of Boston-based Ensemble Musica Humana, Laura performed in staged productions of Hildegard von Bingen's liturgical drama Ordo Virtutum, as well as original concert programs featuring the music of Michael Praetorius, Turlough O'Carolan, and the Cancionero de Palacio. Laura also performed concert programs showcasing the diverse musical repertoire of the recorder as a founding member of Chicago Recorder Quartet. After earning her bachelor's degree in Early Music Performance and Music History from McGill University in 2012, Laura worked as the Assistant Program Manager and Recorder Specialist Teacher for Keiskamma Music Academy in rural South Africa, where she helped facilitate the musical instruction and academic support of over a hundred students from elementary school to high school. During her studies at McGill, Laura's facility with Gregorian chant notation gave her the opportunity to help develop an online, searchable Liber Usualis as a research assistant with McGill's Distributed Digital Music Archives and Libraries Lab. Laura completed her graduate studies in Historical Performance Practice on recorder at Case Western Reserve University in 2018. Advised by distinguished musicologist Susan McClary, Laura's culminating lecture-recital explored medieval instrumental improvisation in the Codex Faenza (titled "The Codex Faenza and the Tradition of Improvisation"). Laura has received honors such as the American Recorder Society Professional Development Grant, Walgreens National Concerto Competition awards, MacDowell Artists Annual Scholarship, Musicians Club of Women Farwell Trust Award, and Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship. Based in Chicago, Laura has worked as a recorder teacher at the Madison and Whitewater summer early music festivals, as a writer for the longstanding radio program Harmonia Early Music, and has performed with Chicago Opera Theater, Music of the Baroque, and Cleveland Opera Theater, among other ensembles. Laura has performed professionally on the vielle, Irish whistle, and shawm and sings as a cantor and choir member at churches throughout Chicago. She began busking on the recorder and vielle while traveling across America for concerts and performed on the recorder as a teenager at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, where she first tried learning to improvise renaissance embellishments.
Resume
LAURA OSTERLUND
Education
M.A. Historical Performance Practice Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio (5/2018)
M.A. Performing Arts Administration Roosevelt University Chicago, Illinois (completed one semester of coursework 12/2015)
B.Mus. Music History and Music Performance (Early Music: Recorder) McGill University Montreal, Canada
(coursework from 8/2007-6/2012 and graduated 10/2012) (Honors: Dr. Alfred Quellmalz Prize, 2010)
Performance Engagements
Ensemble Member (Recorder), Bella Voice + Bella Voice Sinfonia Chicago, Illinois (3/2022)
• Performing cantata BWV 25, “Es ist nichts Gesundes an meinem Leibe,” with Bella Voce and Bella Voce Sinfonia under the direction of Andrew Lewis.
Orchestra Member (Recorder), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Cincinnati, Ohio (1/2020)
• Performed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Justin Freer.
Ensemble Member (Recorder, Shawm, Percussion, Voice), Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago, Illinois (9/2018-11/2018)
• Performed as a member of the ensemble for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 2018 American premiere of Nell Gwynn, written by Jessica Swale, under the direction of Christopher Luscombe and Jermaine Hill.
Pit Orchestra Member (Recorder), Cincinnati Opera Cincinnati, Ohio (6/2018-7/2018)
• Performed as a pit orchestra member with the Cincinnati Opera for its June/July 2018 production of Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea under the direction of Gary Thor Wedow at Corbett Theater.
Orchestra Member (Recorder), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Cincinnati, Ohio 5/2017-5/2017)
• Performed as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony May Festival Choir under the direction of Robert Porco at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.
Pit Orchestra Member (Recorder), Cleveland Opera Theater Cleveland, Ohio (10/2016-11/2016)
• Performed as a pit orchestra member with Cleveland Opera Theater for its November 2016 production of Handel's Serse under the direction of Timothy Nelson at Baldwin Wallace University and Cleveland Arcade.
Orchestra Member (Recorder), Rockford Symphony Orchestra Rockford, Illinois (3/2016-3/2016)
• Performed as a soloist with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra for its March 2016 Classics Series concerts under the direction of Steven Larsen at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Pit Orchestra Member (Recorder), Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri (5/2015-6/2015)
• Performed as pit orchestra member with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for its June 2015 production of Handel’s Riccardo Primo under the direction of Grant Llewellyn at the Loretto-Hilton Center.
Orchestra Member (Recorder), Music of the Baroque Chicago, Illinois (2/2015-2/2015)
• Performed as a soloist with Music of the Baroque for its February 2015 program Baroque Invention under the direction of Nicholas Kraemer at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts and the Harris Theater.
Pit Orchestra Member (Recorder), Chicago Opera Theater Chicago, Illinois (3/2011-4/2011)
• Performed as a pit orchestra member with Chicago Opera Theater for its April/May 2011 production of Charpentier's Medea under the direction of Christian Curnyn at the Harris Theater.
Awards and Honors
American Recorder Society Professional Development Grant, 2018; Musicians Club of Women Farwell Trust Award, 2017; Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship, 2011; Dr. Alfred Quellmalz Prize, 2010; MacDowell Artists Annual Scholarship, 2006; Walgreens National Concerto Competition (1st place Early Music Division), 2005; Early Music America Summer Workshops Scholarship, 2005; American Recorder Society President’s Scholarship, 2005; Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest Concerto Competition (1st place), 2004; Walgreens National Concerto Competition (1st place Winds Division), 2004.
Instrumental Ensembles
Founding Member, Chicago Recorder Quartet Chicago, Illinois (9/2016-6/2020)
Founding Member, Ensemble Musica Humana Boston, Massachusetts (7/2012-5/2018)
Vocal Ensembles
Monastery of the Holy Cross, Choir Member (alto) Chicago, Illinois (11/2022-present)
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Quartet Member and Cantor (alto) Chicago, Illinois (4/2021-present)
St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church, Quartet Member (alto) Chicago, Illinois (10/2018-3/2020; 1/2023-5/2023)
Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Choral Scholar and Cantor (alto) Naperville, Illinois (9/2012-9/2013)
Ensemble Scholastica, Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (8/2011-12/2012)
St. Matthias Church, Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (9/2011-6/2012)
St. Columba’s Anglican Church, Cantor and Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (1/2012-5/2012)
Orpheus Chamber Singers, Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (4/2011-4/2012)
Trinity Memorial Church, Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (1/2011-12/2012)
Church of St. John the Evangelist, Gallery Choir Member (alto) Montreal, Canada (9/2007-12/2011)
In addition, performances and services with the choir of St. John Cantius Church (Chicago) and St. Augustine's Episcopal Church (Wilmette).
Teachers
Marie-Annick Béliveau (voice), Rebecca Bain (vielle and voice), Natalie Michaud (recorder), Debra Nagy (recorder), Matthias Maute (recorder), Clea Galhano (recorder), Scott Reiss (recorder), Mary-Anne Wolff-Gardner (recorder), Donna Port (recorder), Tina Chancey (early strings and improvisation)
Conductors
William Chin (choir and orchestra), Fr. Scott Haynes (choir), Federico Andreoni (choir), Matthew Sprinkle (choir), Garth MacPhee (choir), Peter Schubert (choir), Paul Flight (orchestra), Nicholas Kraemer (orchestra), Christian Curnyn (orchestra), Christopher Jackson (orchestra), Hank Knox (orchestra), Gary Thor Wedow (orchestra), Andrew Lewis (choir and orchestra), Paul Lindblad (choir), Steven Wente (choir), Robert Porco (orchestra), John Wiens (choir), Steven Larsen (orchestra), Timothy Nelson (orchestra), Grant Llewellyn (orchestra), Justin Freer (orchestra), Jermaine Hill (ensemble), Kevin Allen (choir)
Master Classes and Courses
Anonymous 4 (voice and vielle), Benjamin Bagby (recorder and voice), Eric Mentzel (recorder and voice), Aldo Abreu (recorder), Julie Andrijesk (recorder), Sylvain Bergeron (recorder), Deborah Booth (recorder), Francis Colpron (recorder), Saskia Coolen (recorder), William Dongois (recorder), David Douglass (recorder), Adam Gilbert (recorder), Pierre Hamon (recorder), Grant Herreid (recorder), Greg Ingles (recorder), Lisette Kielsen (recorder), Joan Kimball (recorder and shawm), Dan Laurin (recorder), Betsy MacMillan (recorder), Alison Melville (recorder), Tobie Miller (recorder), Christopher Morrongiello (recorder), Gwyn Roberts (recorder), Norbert Rodenkirchen (recorder), Baptiste Romain (vielle), Pete Rose (recorder), Mary Springfels (recorder), Maurice Steger (recorder), Jaap Ter Linden (recorder), Barbara Weiss (recorder), Robert Wiemken (recorder and shawm), Marion Verbruggen (recorder), Reine-Marie Verhagen (recorder), Tom Zajac (recorder), Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet (recorder), Flanders Recorder Quartet (recorder), Les Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse (recorder)
Festivals and Workshops
Amherst Early Music Festival (recorder and voice), Vancouver Early Music Festival (recorder and voice), Boston Early Music Festival (recorder), Hesperus SoundCatcher (recorder), Indiana University Summer Recorder Academy, Long Island Recorder Workshop, Montreal Baroque Festival (recorder and vielle), San Francisco Early Music Festival (recorder)
Work Experience
Audience Services Inbound Call Center Representative, Lyric Opera of Chicago
May 2023 - present | Chicago, IL
• Support the Lyric Opera Audience Services Department by providing excellent customer service while selling and processing season subscriptions, ticket exchanges, and single ticket orders using Tessitura over the phone.
• Help raise funds as part of marketing campaigns, including seasonal promotions for new subscribers and year-round donation requests.
• Responsibilities similar to those in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Ticketing Sales and Service Associate position and previous Box Office work.
Director, West Suburban Early Music Society
January - June 2023; March & October 2019; January - June 2016 | Downers Grove, IL
• Direct monthly meetings of the West Suburban Early Music Society. Responsibilities include conducting; researching music for rehearsals and performances; diagnosing areas for improvement; tailoring meetings to the skills and needs of participants.
• Create musical arrangements using Sibelius and MuseScore, give private lessons, organize small ensemble rehearsals, and lead adult musicians in public performance.
• Assist with social media for new member recruitment.
Music Library Intern, Lyric Opera of Chicago
September - December 2022 | Chicago, IL
• Assist in preparation for upcoming seasons, including preparing music for digital and physical distribution.
• Assist librarians with maintenance of the collection, including cataloging, shelving, and circulation.
• Work with librarians to improve library records and processes using databases and relevant software.
• Copy rehearsal figures into full scores and piano vocal scores; mark cuts and bowings into string parts; assist with production and chorus score preparation.
Development and Administrative Associate The People's Music School
May 2022 - May 2023| Chicago, IL• Keep up-to-date development records in Salesforce and process gifts from multiple sources.
• Provide timely and accurate gift and tax acknowledgement documentation with care for donor stewardship.
• Collaborate with the finance department to ensure that all development records match and reconcile with financial records.
• Assist with managing special projects, such as event coordination, donor recognition initiatives, and special mailers.
• Assist the President and CEO with coordinating and scheduling meetings.
• Perform additional office administrative assistance, including depositing checks, processing mail and packages, and ordering supplies.
Library Assistant, DANK Haus German Cultural Center
October 2019 - June 2020 | Chicago, IL
• Cataloged and preserved editions of the German-language newspaper Der Eintracht for archival use.
• Provided customer service for library patrons; processed and shelved library materials in German; assisted with facilities maintenance.
Library Assistant, The University of Chicago John Crerar Library
April 2019 - June 2020 | Chicago, IL
• Responsible for all duties related to Access Services and Circulation, including customer service; entry control; training and overseeing student staff; answering questions regarding library accounts and access; coordinating with security, cleaning, maintenance staff, and vendors.
• Prepared library material for Interlibrary Loan; processed course reserves; located and shelved library material in book stacks.
Box Office and Social Media Manager, Bella Voce
June 2018 - March 2019 | Chicago, IL (Remote and In-Person)
• Managed the ticketing and box office systems using Vendini. Responsibilities included providing customer service to patrons, monitoring and responding to ticketing phone calls, processing orders online and over the phone, and running Box Office.
• Created and implemented strategic plans to drive ticket sales, particularly group sales, in partnership with the Executive Director; partnered with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and musicians to develop a social media strategy; maintained the social media calendar.
• Captured video, audio, and images for social media at concerts and events
Access Student Assistant, Case Western Reserve University Kelvin Smith Library
October 2017 - April 2018 | Cleveland, OH
• Provided customer service to library patrons, including answering questions about library accounts and services; locating library resources; assisting patrons with computing, printing, and scanning; communicating and enforcing library policies.
• Processed and shelved books, periodicals, and media; assisted with basic maintenance of Kelvin Smith Library, OhioLink, and Interlibrary Loan materials.
Instructor (Recorder), Madison Early Music Festival
July 2017 & 2009 | Madison, WI
• Taught classes on beginning recorder; intermediate recorder ensemble; and intermediate recorder solo and ensemble technique.
• Gave private lessons on recorder.
• Led the recorder ensemble in a sectional rehearsal.
Teaching Assistant, Case Western Reserve University
January - May 2017 | Cleveland, OH
• Graded assignments, provided feedback in person and via email, and oversaw the academic progress of over twenty-five students in an undergraduate music history survey course.
• Proctored midterm and final exams and conducted review sessions prior to the exams in collaboration with two fellow teaching assistants.
• Gave an hour-long lecture with PowerPoint and audio on 13th-century polyphony to a class of over one hundred undergraduate students
Instructor (Recorder), Whitewater Early Music Festival
June 2016 & 2010 - 2012 | Whitewater, WI
• Taught classes on Notre Dame School polyphony; stretto fuga; 4-voice medieval polyphony; Oswald von Wolkenstein; 16th-century German polyphony; 15th-century German song books; cantus firmi; medieval and renaissance music from Cyprus; Irish and Scottish music for recorder; jazz for recorder; Heinrich Finck; Guillaume de Machaut.
• Conducted ensembles of adult students in public performance.
Box Office and Administrative Assistant, ChamberFest Cleveland
September 2016 - July 2017 | Cleveland, OH
• Provided general support to the Managing Director of the classical music festival ChamberFest Cleveland; helped with the maintenance and organization of patron and donor records using Salesforce and MailChimp.
• Assisted with front-of-house, box office, phone sales, and customer service, including running Box Office throughout the 2017 summer festival; performed operations support for concerts and events
Program Leader, After-School All-Stars
September - December 2016 | Cleveland, OH
• Provided lessons, mentoring, and academic support to at-risk youth in elementary school and junior high. Responsibilities included teaching an eight-week nutrition module to a class of eleven 3rd through 5th grade boys.
Development Associate, BrightSide Theatre
January 2016 - April 2017 | Naperville, IL
• Performed foundation grant research and writing under the supervision of the Executive Director.
• Consulted with the Executive and Artistic Directors on new and current patron development initiatives; assisted with maintenance and organization of patron and donor records using Vendini.
• Cultivated sponsorship from local businesses and promoted community outreach initiatives.
Ticketing Sales and Service Associate, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
December 2014 - February 2019 | Chicago, IL
• Supported the Chicago Symphony Ticketing Department by providing excellent customer service and selling and processing season subscriptions, ticket exchanges, and single ticket orders using Tessitura.
• Raised funds over the phone for special seasonal promotions and year-round donation appeals.
ESL Instructor, INSEEC Business School (Harrington College of Design)
October - December 2014 | Chicago, IL
• Taught English composition courses to French business students at the Harrington College of Design.
• Created and implemented original syllabi and teaching materials, including exams, worksheets, and lectures; planned collaborative lessons in a team of four co-teachers.
Assistant Program Manager & Recorder Specialist Teacher, Keiskamma Music Academy
September 2013 - June 2014 | Hamburg, South Africa
• Facilitated the musical instruction and after-school academic support of over one hundred elementary to high school students through the Keiskamma Music Academy youth development program.
• Responsibilities featured training and supervising volunteer teaching staff; music collection maintenance; office administration; facilities management; operations for concerts and events; liaising with donors and different departments within The Keiskamma Trust.
• Provided private and group music instruction to elementary through high school students.
Script Writer, Harmonia Early Music (WFIU Public Radio)
April 2011 - May 2014 | Bloomington, IN
• Researched, wrote, and edited content for Harmonia Early Music radio program scripts, blog posts, station announcements, previews of upcoming shows, and advertising copy for local sponsors
Research Assistant, Distributed Digital Music Archives and Libraries Lab, McGill University
January 2011 - April 2012 | Montreal, Canada
• Converted images of pages of music into computer readable and modifiable symbols.
• Cleaned distorted and skewed images using music recognition software.
• Trained music recognition software to classify converted symbols within chant manuscripts through manual classification and correction of software errors.
• Maintained a growing file of source and modified images to build up a database of musical models for batch processing over a period of fourteen months.
Concert Series Organizer, Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital
September 2011 - June 2012 | Montreal Canada
• Planned and coordinated weekly concerts for residents of Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital; maintained a schedule of performances and performer roster over a nine-month period; performed concert operations.
• Created promotional material for social media; designed and edited concert programs.
• Communicated with rehabilitation hospital staff, residents, and guests in English and French.