Woodwinds


 

 

Rena Kraut
CLARINET
BM and BA, Northwestern University; MM, Rice University; DMA, University of Minnesota
Rena Kraut is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Augsburg College. She received her D.M.A. from the University of Minnesota, and also holds music degrees from Rice and Northwestern Universities. Dr. Kraut has held positions with various orchestras including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and the Sarasota and Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestras. She performs frequently with the Minnesota Orchestra and as a chamber musician in the Twin Cities. Dr. Kraut is instructor of clarinet and director of the chamber music program at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music.
Rena directs the SPCM Clarinet Choir, and is the director of our summer Children’s Music Workshop.

 

Laura Nortwen
OBOE
BM, University of Iowa, MM, University of Minnesota
Oboist Laura Nortwen is also the Administrative Associate of the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. Prior to her appointment, she was the office manager and oboe specialist at Midwest Musical Imports, a double reed specialty shop which serves the national and international double reed communities. Laura earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa and her Master of Music Degree from the University of Iowa. Her teachers have included Rachel Brudnoy, James Lakin, Carl Holub and Rhadames Angelucci. An avid freelance performer, she has performed with many ensembles over the past 25 years, including the Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Minnesota Sinfonia, Minnesota Opera, and numerous chamber music groups. She was tenured oboe instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College for 12 years, and has also taught at Bethel College and in the Owatonna School system. Laura has often served as an adjudicator for musical organizations, including the Schubert Club, Minnesota Orchestra WAMSO and YPSCA Competitions, Thursday Musical, Minnetonka Orchestral Association, and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. Besides working with the SPCM, she also maintains a small private oboe studio in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Laura looks forward to one day using all of her old reed shavings to fuel a very nice fire in her outdoor firepit.
Annie Richardson
FLUTE & SUZUKI FLUTE
Flutist Annie Richardson received her Bachelor of Music in performance from East Tennessee State University. Ms. Richardson also completed additional undergraduate performance studies at Indiana University in Bloomington. Principal flute instructors include Nancy Osteraas, Rebecca Paluzzi, Jacques Zoon, Barbara Kallaur (baroque flute) and Kate Lukas. Ms. Richardson has performed in masterclass with Toshio Takahashi, Samuel Baron, Bart Feller, George Pope, Emmanuel Pahud, Susan Hoeppner, and Flute Force. Additionally, Ms. Richardson has completed extensive Suzuki flute training and has taught at MacPhail Center for Music, Levine School of Music, East Metro Music Academy, Washington International School and is currently teaching at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. Richardson has performed with orchestras, flute choirs and chamber music ensembles in Tennessee, DC, Maryland and Minnesota and currently performs with the Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra.