The MASTA
Career Achievement Award
is awarded by nomination and election by the
MASTA Board.
MASTA is proud
to celebrate the career of Laura Sias, the
2009 MASTA Career Achievement Award honoree.
The Award was presented to Laura at the MASTA
Luncheon and General Board Meeting, held in
January at the Michigan Music Conference in
Grand Rapids.
Laura's performing career began during World War II, when she was a member of Ada Leonard's All-American Girl Orchestra, a USO ensemble stationed in Italy. After returning from Europe and finishing a degree in Bass Performance from the Eastman School of Music, Laura has performed with the San Antonio, Rochester (NY), and Grant Park Orchestras.
In Michigan, she has performed with the Michigan Opera, the Detroit Women's Symphony, and many of the Detroit-area regional and community orchestras.
As a educator, Laura served many years as an orchestra teacher in the Royal Oak Schools. While there, she was invited to become involved with MASTA, and eventually held all of the positions of our Executive Board. Laura was a founder of what is now our Troy Suzuki Workshop, and has been on the faculty of the MASTA Camps.
Laura's performing career began during World War II, when she was a member of Ada Leonard's All-American Girl Orchestra, a USO ensemble stationed in Italy. After returning from Europe and finishing a degree in Bass Performance from the Eastman School of Music, Laura has performed with the San Antonio, Rochester (NY), and Grant Park Orchestras.
In Michigan, she has performed with the Michigan Opera, the Detroit Women's Symphony, and many of the Detroit-area regional and community orchestras.
As a educator, Laura served many years as an orchestra teacher in the Royal Oak Schools. While there, she was invited to become involved with MASTA, and eventually held all of the positions of our Executive Board. Laura was a founder of what is now our Troy Suzuki Workshop, and has been on the faculty of the MASTA Camps.
2009
MASTA Career Achievement Award honoree
Laura Sias with Mark Kotchenruther and
nominating board member Rick
Dapprich
Laura is also very involved with the Suzuki method, having travelled to Japan in the early '70s to study in the presence of Dr. Suzuki. Having retired from public school teaching and performing, Laura continues to teach over 40 private string students out of her home in Rochester.
