Laura Kaminsky facts for kids

Laura Kaminsky, born on September 28, 1956, is an American composer, producer of music events, and educator. She was born in New York City. She went to the High School of Music and Art. Later, she studied music at Oberlin College and City College of New York. She earned her Master of Arts degree in composition in 1980.

Career in Music

Laura Kaminsky is a very active composer. Her music has been performed all over the world. She has won many important awards for her work. Her music has also been recorded a lot.

She is known for creating new and exciting cultural programs. She has worked at famous places in New York City like the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall, and Symphony Space. She is currently the artistic director at Symphony Space.

In 1984, she helped start a music group called Musicians Accord. She is still its artistic director. This group works with music students at City College of New York.

International Work and Teaching

From 1992 to 1993, Kaminsky lived and worked in Ghana. There, she taught at the National Academy of Music. She also organized concerts and a conference about African music.

Later, from 1996 to 1997, she directed the European Mozart Academy in Poland. This program helped young musicians from different parts of Europe study and perform together. It was important for bringing people together after the Soviet Union broke apart.

Kaminsky has also held important roles at colleges. From 1999 to 2004, she led the music department at the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Then, from 2004 to 2008, she was the dean of the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. After that, she became the artistic director of Symphony Space in New York City. She still teaches composition and arts management at Purchase College.

Personal Life

Laura Kaminsky's father, Dr. Leonard Kaminsky, was a dentist. Her mother, Eva D. Kaminsky, managed his dental office. Her mother is from London, and her father is from The Bronx. In 2011, Laura Kaminsky married Rebecca Allan, who is a painter.

Musical Works

Laura Kaminsky has written many pieces of music. She mostly composes chamber music and vocal music. Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments. Vocal music includes singing.

Here are some examples of her works:

Operas

• Some Light Emerges
• As One

Orchestral Music

• Terra Terribilis: Concerto for Three Percussionists and Orchestra
• Piano Concerto

String Quartets

• Transformations
• American Nocturne

Chamber Music

• Vukovar Trio
• Duo for Flute and Piano
• Wave Hill for Violin and Piano
• And Trouble Came: An African AIDS Diary

Solo Piano Music

• Fantasy
• Calendar Music

Songs

• Rise, My Love
• Whitman Songs