Standard bio (550 words)

Laura Lentz is a flutist, composer, educator, and author of Modal Flute Warmup, known for her expressive playing, innovative teaching, and vibrant curiosity. Her work centers on empowering artists to trust their instincts and creative voice. Flutist Quarterly praised her book as “a new path for all of us… enthusiastically recommended,” and it has resonated with flutists seeking a more exploratory approach to warming up.

Described as having “enviable control and supple phrasing” (Sequenza21) and praised for her “striking, meticulous flute playing” (Take Effect), Lentz is deeply committed to sharing the work of today’s most forward-thinking composers. She is equally dedicated to performance and mentorship, and is active as a soloist, collaborator, and teacher.

Lentz has commissioned, recorded, and premiered dozens of new works as a member of the new music ensemble fivebyfive or as soloist, including music by JacobTV, Missy Mazzoli, Roberto Sierra, Jessica Meyer, Emily Pinkerton, Anthony R. Green, Kamala Sankaram, Marc Mellits, Evan Williams, and Amy Nam thanks to a Chamber Music America Commissioning Grant. fivebyfive has received additional funding and recognition from Rochester Community Foundation, New Music USA and New York State Council on the Arts for its work.

Lentz gave the world premiere of JacobTV’s Serendipity2 for alto flute, string quartet, and tabla in 2024 with the Beo String Quartet (which appeared on Performance Today), as well as versions of Discrete Structures by Marc Mellits for flute and piano (also included for broadcast on Performance Today) and flute & string quartet. Recordings of both works as well as music of Missy Mazzoli are supported by funding from Netherlands American Foundation, Genesee Valley Council on the Arts and individual supporters. The three works appear on her 2025 release, Serendipity, on the Blue on Blue label. Lentz has also recorded on the Bright Shiny Things label, releasing nearly 15 recordings in the past 10 years as a solo artist or with fivebyfive, championing more than 75 new works.

As a clinician, Lentz has presented at the National Flute Association Convention, Chicago Flute Festival, Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, New York Flute Club, Wisconsin Flute Festival, Utah Flute Festival, Philadelphia Flute Fair, Rochester Flute Association, and at various colleges and universities across the United States as guest artist. She is highly regarded for her applied flute teaching, insightful master classes, and arts leadership courses, and she has served as a mentor to music students at Nazareth University, Eastman School of Music, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Eastman Community Music School. 

She received her Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying with Stephanie Jutt, and her Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music as a student of Ken Andrews. She also has studied with Alberto Almarza, Tadeu Coehlo, Francesca Arnone, and Francesca Staderini, and has played in masterclasses for Marina Piccinini and Jeffrey Khaner. Lentz is currently based in Rochester, NY.

Medium bio (175 words)
Laura Lentz is a flutist, composer, educator, and author of Modal Flute Warmup, known for her expressive performance, innovative teaching, and vibrant curiosity. She is deeply committed to championing the work of today’s most forward-thinking composers and empowering artists to trust their creative voice.

As a soloist and member of the ensemble fivebyfive, Lentz has premiered and recorded dozens of new works, including music by JacobTV, Missy Mazzoli, Roberto Sierra, Jessica Meyer, and Marc Mellits. Her performances have been featured on Performance Today and supported by Chamber Music America, the Netherlands America Foundation, and New Music USA. Her 2025 release Serendipity (Blue on Blue) includes recent premieres with Beo String Quartet.

Lentz has appeared as a guest artist and clinician across the United States, including at the National Flute Association Convention, Chicago Flute Festival, and numerous universities. She is recognized for her dynamic approach to flute pedagogy and arts leadership.

She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Crane School of Music, and is based in Rochester, NY.

Short bio (65 words)
Laura Lentz is a flutist, composer, and educator known for her expressive performance, innovative teaching, and vibrant curiosity. She is the author of Modal Flute Warmup and passionate advocate for new music. She appears widely as a soloist and guest artist and is based in Rochester, NY.