About
Minnesota native Lauren Flaten is a conductor and flutist based in the Hudson Valley of New York. As an avid collaborator, Lauren is passionate about creating meaningful and relevant performances, on and off the podium.
CONDUCTING
Lauren currently studies orchestral conducting with James Bagwell at Bard College and Conservatory. She holds previous degrees in flute performance from the University of Colorado Boulder (M.M.) and St. Olaf College (B.M.), studying under Christina Jennings and Catherine Ramirez. Lauren was selected as a masterclass participant at the 2024 College Orchestra Director's Association National Conference with Maestro Carl Topilow and has attended the University of Oregon Conducting Institute, the International Conducting Festival and Workshop, and the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute. Additional conducting instructors include Timothy Mahr, Steven Amundson, Don Schleicher, Mark Gibson, and David Jacobs. Lauren's conducting experience ranges from romantic greats (Brahms 4 Symphonies, Schubert Symphony No. 10, and more) to 20th-century chamber music (Copland Appalachian Spring, Ives The Unanswered Question) and beyond.
Watch conducting videos HERE >
FLUTE
As a performer, Lauren was a finalist and prize winner in the 2023 Ekstrand Memorial Graduate Competition, and performed numerous recitals and outreach concerts with the Juniper Winds woodwind quintet at CU Boulder where she served as the Graduate Quintet TA. She has been a featured soloist with the St. Olaf Band and St. Olaf Philharmonia Orchestra, and performed with the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Opera Orchestra (select repertoire includes Verdi La Traviata, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Copland Appalachian Spring). With the St. Olaf Orchestra and Band, Lauren has performed on tour in New Zealand, Australia, & California, and performed in Cuba and Argentina with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Orchestras and Minnesota Youth Orchestras. She has attended the Miami Music Festival, the Marina Piccinini International Masterclass, and the Iowa Flute Intensive. In addition to performance and collaboration, Lauren has taught flute lessons for 7 years, working with students ages 10-18+ to grow as musicians and achieve their goals on the flute. Learn more about flute lessons HERE >
ARTS ADMINISTRATION
Off the stage, Lauren has extensive experience in operations, production, and marketing in the arts-based non-profit sector. Most recently, Lauren served as the Production Assistant for Kaatsbaan Cultural Park's 2024 Fall Festival, where she led back-stage production for programs with Company Wayne McGregor, Contemporaneous, and the Limón Dance Company, among others. She previously worked as the Operations Manager for the Cultural Caravan, a Boulder-based nonprofit committed to presenting diverse and accessible musical performances in conventional and off-beat venues. In this position, she collaborated with 60+ artists and numerous municipalities, local businesses, and social service nonprofits to produce over 100 free and low-cost concerts. Additional positions include Orchestra Manager for the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, Assistant House Manager & Assistant Librarian at the Colorado Music Festival, and Orchestra Librarian for the St. Olaf Orchestra, among others.
Contact Lauren at ljoyflaten@gmail.com or via the contact form.
