Academics

Laura Brenes

Degrees: Master’s Degree, Music Performance, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 2002; Bachelor of Music, Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 2000

Portrait

E-mail

laura@griffiths.net

Professional Background

Laura Brenes (formerly Laura Griffiths) has been a member of the Redlands Symphony since 2001. She is currently Principal Horn for the RSO and thoroughly enjoys playing there. She was formerly Fourth Horn in the Las Vegas and Fresno Philharmonics, and Assistant Principal Horn for the Oregon Coast Festival Orchestra. She also is very active in the recording studios and can be heard on many motion picture and television soundtracks as a section player. Her advanced education began at Brigham Young University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music performance. After that, Ms. Brenes attended the University of Southern California on scholarship where she received her Master’s Degree in Music Performance while in the studio of Vincent DeRosa. She has toured all over the US as well as Eastern Europe and China, with a number of different musical groups. Ms. Brenes performs with many orchestras including the Long Beach Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, New West Symphony, and Santa Barbara Symphony. As well as teaching at the University of Redlands, she also has a large home studio with students of all ages.

Current Positions

  • Redlands Symphony, Third Horn; 2001-present
  • Oregon Coast Music Festival, Assistant Principal Horn; 2004-present
  • Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Faculty ; 2005-present
  • Wild Ginger Philharmonic, Principal Horn, Los Angeles, CA; 2001-present
  • Substitute Horn for Pasadena Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Symphony, Riverside County Philharmonic, Torrance Symphony, Rio Hondo Orchestra, San Bernardino Symphony, New World Symphony and New West Symphony
  • Free-lance musician, Los Angeles area, CA
  • Professor of Horn, Citrus College, Azusa, CA
  • Adjunct Faculty, Colburn Music School, Los Angeles, CA; 2002-2003

Professional Experience

  • Mormon Tabernacle Choir Orchestra, Principal Horn, Toured the Southern United States; 2001
  • Pacific Brass Ensemble, French Horn; 2000-2004
  • Young Musician’s Foundation, Debut Orchestra, Third Horn, Los Angeles, CA; 2000-2002
  • Disney Collegiate All-Star Band, Anaheim, CA, Principal Horn; 1999
  • Napoli Italian Chamber Orchestra, Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, UT; 1996

Education

  • Master’s Degree, Music Performance, University of Southern California, 2002
  • Bachelor of Music, Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, 2000

Applied Instruction

Mr.Vince De Rosa, 2000-present
Professor of Horn, University of Southern California

Mr. James Thatcher, 1999-present
Freelance musician, Los Angeles

Mr. Rick Todd, 1999-2002
Professor of Horn, University of Southern California
Principal Horn, LA Chamber Orchestra

Mr. Jim Decker, 2000-2002
Professor of Horn, University of Southern California

Mr. Laurence Lowe, 1995-2000
Professor of Horn, Brigham Young University
Principal Horn, Orchestra at Temple Square

Professional Highlights

  • Full Scholarship recipient, Henry Mancini Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 2002
  • Performed with Christian McBride, Dave Grusin, Patty Austin, Roger Kellaway, Vinnie Calaiuta, Bob Belden, Eddie Daniels, Larry Goldings, Randy Brecker, Hubert Laws, Anthony Wilson, Roy Hargrove, and John Clayton
  • Orchestra Librarian, University of Southern California, 2001-2002
SURF-ing
SURF

The Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF) is a natural farm in its beginning stages, but already grows and sells fresh vegetables to Bon Appetit, the food management company on campus.

Read More »