About Laura: Short bio below

Laura Lentz is a passionate interpreter of contemporary music, hailed for her “striking, meticulous flute playing.” Praised by audiences and composers for her “incredible, gorgeous tone,” and “enviable control and supple phrasing,” Laura has a deep commitment to sharing the work of today’s most forward-thinking composers.

Flutist/Artistic Director of award-winning fivebyfive, the group’s new album “Eclipse” debuted at #2 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Chart for the week of November 8, 2024. The group has received numerous awards and support for its imaginative programming from The Eastman School of Music, New York State Council on the Arts, Chamber Music America, and New Music USA. fivebyfive works with a multitude of collaborating partners to create events that permeate innovative, cross-genre programming and community engagement.

As an author, Laura included nineteen miniatures for solo flute written for her in two self-published collections, Comfort Pieces for Solo Flute and Nature Pieces for Solo Flute. Her new book, Modal Flute Warmup, (“Laura has created a new path for all of us…enthusiastically recommended,” Flutist Quarterly) released December, 2023 with Conway Publications, is sold internationally. The book is geared towards flutists and teachers and encourages discovery in one’s flute playing through a warmup approach that uses modes. Laura has presented the book at the National Flute Association Convention (San Antonio), Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, New York Flute Club, Wisconsin Flute Festival, Philadelphia Flute Society, and Rochester Flute Fair, among others. Dedicated to the greater flute community, Laura holds free virtual sessions about the book for all to attend.

A thoughtful and committed teacher-mentor, Laura teaches a large studio of students who enjoy successes in regional festivals, competitions, and youth orchestras, and is frequently invited to present flute masterclasses and workshops across the country. Also a frequently invited guest speaker, Laura draws from her first-hand experience as artistic director of fivebyfive, performing/recording artist, author, university teacher, and studio teacher. She leads university courses where she guides students to seek funding for their creative projects, including Eastman School of Music’s Institute for Music Leadership and Nazareth University. Additionally, Laura created the blog The Insightful Creative, with interviews, articles, and resources to support creatives in their work, and she serves on the National Flute Association New Music Advisory Committee as of November, 2024. This season Laura is presenting works by Missy Mazzoli, Marc Mellits, JacobTV, and Gabriela Lena Frank, as part of her new project, "Serendipity," with some pieces commissioned by or written for her. Her performances and recordings have been broadcast on the radio programs Performance Today and New Sounds, among others.

Short bio

Laura Lentz is a passionate interpreter of contemporary music, hailed for her “striking, meticulous flute playing.” Praised by audiences and composers for her “incredible, gorgeous tone,” and “enviable control and supple phrasing,” Laura has a deep commitment to sharing the work of today’s most forward-thinking composers.

She has a deep commitment to sharing the work of today’s most forward-thinking composers, and is dedicated to both performance and mentorship through her work as a soloist, collaborator, and teacher. Flutist/Artistic Director of award-winning fivebyfive, the group’s new album “Eclipse” debuted at #2 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Chart for the week of November 8, 2024.

Her book Modal Flute Warmup, (“Laura has created a new path for all of us…enthusiastically recommended,” Flutist Quarterly) is published with Conway Publications and is sold internationally. An advocate in supporting those doing creative work, Laura teaches university courses to help students to seek funding for their creative projects and created the blog The Insightful Creative. Laura also serves on the National Flute Association New Music Advisory Committee.This season Laura is presenting works by Missy Mazzoli, Marc Mellits, JacobTV, and Gabriela Lena Frank, as part of her new project, "Serendipity," with some pieces commissioned by or written for her. Her performances and recordings have been broadcast on the radio programs Performance Today and New Sounds, among others.