Hello! I’m Laura.
I’m a flutist, composer, and teacher. Endlessly curious and a “what if we try this?” kind of person, I enjoy performing, thinking about teaching and learning, and collaborating with others.
I love the moment when something clicks. When a student discovers something they didn’t know they could do. When a composer or artist finds a way to express a feeling or idea just right. Or when something new, surprising, or even a little magical is created when people come together.
That’s the stuff that keeps me going.
The flute has been my companion on some pretty wonderful adventures. From the Catskills to Rochester, Rome (Italy!), and now Salt Lake City, from classrooms to concert halls and into collaborations that have been really rewarding and inspiring.
I started my career as a classical flutist, and curiosity kept opening new doors: entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, grant writing, creating educational resources, and working with composers and artists from around the world.
As founding flutist and Artistic Director of fivebyfive, I spent a decade helping build an ensemble dedicated to contemporary chamber music, collaboration, and creative exploration. Working closely with composers and fellow artists, we brought more than 50 new works into the world through performances, commissions, and educational projects.
And now? I’m beginning another adventure! Back to school for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in flute performance at the University of Utah.
A few things about me
New move: As of August 2026 I’m living in Salt Lake City, Utah, but have lived in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, and Rome, Italy. I’m originally from a town of 200 people in the Catskills.
Obsessed with performing, teaching, & learning, hummingbirds, botanical gardens, dark chocolate (really any chocolate), tea shops, good coffee also, hiking, being in the sun, and my beautiful Hohner accordion, where I am joyfully a beginner. I can play a few waltzes, including my favorite — the one from the film Pane e Tulipani.
Found music growing up as a 3rd generation musician. I studied flute performance and music education at the UW-Madison and Crane School of Music, with additional studies and masterclasses in Italy and throughout the United States. Over the years, I’ve taught in public and private schools, universities, and my own studio.
Giving back, with some of my favorite work that happens behind the scenes. I’ve served on nonprofit and professional boards, adjudicated competitions, mentored young musicians, sponsored a junior flute competition, and helped a flute camp at Hochstein get started. I currently serve on the National Flute Association’s New Music Advisory Committee and Career & Artistic Development Committee.
Presented on various topics about the flute, pedagogy, grant-writing, nonprofit leadership, creation of educational resources, and collaborations with artists in a variety of settings. I am especially proud of my book Modal Flute Warmup which received recognition in The National Flute Association’s Newly Published Music Competition for 2026. I’ve enjoyed sharing ideas from the book at places including the University of Michigan, Middle Tennessee State University, UW-Madison, San Diego State University, Wisconsin Flute Festival, Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, Chicago Flute Festival, and the National Flute Association Convention.
Performing & recording: I’m equally passionate about new music and have premiered commissioned works with composers such as JacobTV, Marc Mellits, and Missy Mazzoli. My debut recording, Jacob’s Triptych, features three works by JacobTV, two of which were dedicated to me. My newest recording includes Serendipity No. 2, also dedicated to me, for alto flute, string quartet, and tabla; its premiere performance was featured on Performance Today. I’ve recorded several other albums and recordings, available on Spotify, Apple Music or my favorite artist platform, Bandcamp. More recently I’ve been enjoying composing, performing, and recording my own works.
New chapter this summer: I’m beginning a Doctor of Musical Arts in Flute Performance at the University of Utah. I’m very appreciative and can’t wait!
A more standard bio (219 words)
Laura Lentz is a flutist, educator, composer, and author based in Salt Lake City, Utah, whose work is shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a fascination with music’s infinite worlds of emotion, color, and sound. She performs contemporary music, develops interdisciplinary projects, and explores creative approaches to teaching and learning, presenting workshops and performances throughout the United States and Europe.
Her artistic work includes premiered and recorded works by composers including JacobTV, Marc Mellits, Missy Mazzoli, Jessica Meyer, and Roberto Sierra. For a decade, she served as founding flutist and Artistic Director of fivebyfive, creating innovative contemporary music experiences through collaboration, commissioning, and performance. Her debut recording, Jacob’s Triptych, features three works by JacobTV, two dedicated to her; her newest recording includes Serendipity No. 2, also dedicated to her, whose premiere was featured on Performance Today.
Laura is the author of Modal Flute Warmup, which was recognized in the National Flute Association’s 2026 Newly Published Music Competition. She currently serves on the National Flute Association’s New Music Advisory Committee and Career & Artistic Development Committee and is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance at the University of Utah.