Sarah Bortz
Flute
Degree: M.M. University of
California – Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Sarah Bortz is a recent graduate at University of California Santa Barbara where she earned her Master of Music and was a Teaching Assistant for the flute studio under Jill Felber. She holds a bachelor’s degree for Instrumental Performance from Western Michigan University.
Before the pandemic, Sarah performed principal flute with her alma mater’s university orchestra on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet. She also has experience with classical and contemporary chamber music, jazz combos, flute choir, and band literature. She has won first place for the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Competition, a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara. Sarah teaches privately and likes to challenge her students on exploring improvisation as a classical musician.
Laura Watson is a recent graduate of the DePaul University School of Music where she earned a Master’s degree in Flute Performance studying with Stefan Hoskuldsson of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Shenandoah University studying with Jonathan Snowden of the London Philharmonic.
Laura is from Virginia where she spent most of her life before moving to Chicago. Laura regularly performs with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as an Associate Member and gigs around the city with musicals and orchestras. She has rich experience playing solo recitals, performances with various chamber groups, operas, symphonic bands, wind ensembles, and orchestras as both a flutist and piccoloist. Laura participated in All-County, All-District, and All-State Band while in high school and was the Drum Major of her marching band.
Laura has loved preparing for and taking auditions since her first time auditioning for All-County in middle school and now harnesses this passion while auditioning for orchestras and military bands and by helping others find success in their pursuits. Whether beginner, intermediate, advanced, or returning to the flute after many years, Laura will be excited to help you find your voice on the flute!