Laura McLaughlin is an active soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and educator. Her playing has been described as “powerful” … “plays with lots of conviction”…“brilliant entertainer” and continues to establish herself as a virtuosic clarinetist. 

Laura joined the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Carroll University music faculties this fall and and is a member of Carroll's resident professional ensemble, the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, and Lakeshore Rush, a Chicago-based Pierrot ensemble she co-founded this past year. Laura has also performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Madison Symphony Orchestra (WI), Lansing Symphony Orchestra (MI), Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra, Capitol City Band (WI), and College Light Opera Company (MA). She performed at the International Clarinet Association's 'Clarinetfest' (2008), and has performed with the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble in residence at Northeastern Illinois University (2013 & 2014). 

Laura completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in clarinet performance with a minor in music education. While attending UW, she was a recipient of the prestigious Paul Collins Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, awarded to outstanding graduate performance majors and determined by a committee of performance faculty. Laura was also a winner of the woodwind-piano duo Shain Competition (2012), and  received the James R. Smith Orchestral Leadership and Service award. Laura has a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Michigan University. Her primary teachers include Dr. Linda Bartley, Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, and Dr. Kimberly Cole-Luevano. 

Her doctoral project, titled "A Guide to the E-flat Clarinet: Etudes, Repertoire, Performance", includes an original performance method book, interviews with internationally renowned E-flat clarinetists, and an annotated bibliography of commercially published solo music for E-flat clarinet. Within the method book, Laura composed original etudes designed to help a clarinetist make an effective transition to the mastery of the E-flat clarinet. These etudes are in the process of being published. 

Visit www.laurakmclaughlin.com for more information.