Lauren Bernofsky composer / arranger

Lauren Bernofsky (b. 1967, Rochester, MN) has written over a hundred works, including solo, chamber, and choral music, as well as larger-scale works for orchestra, film, musical, opera, and ballet. With performances spanning the world, her music has been described as "fantastic," "evocative and witty," and destined to "become standard repertoire."

She holds a bachelor's degree in violin and composition from The Hartt School, a master's degree in composition from the New England Conservatory and a doctorate in composition from Boston University, where she was a student of Lukas Foss. She has served on the faculty of the Peabody Institute and Interlochen Center for the Arts, and she is currently the Music Director of the Musical Arts Youth Organziation (MAYO) in Bloomington, IN. She is a guest clinician at schools and regional festivals, and she writes for The Brass Herald.

Bernofsky strives to capture the unique expressive potential of each instrument, an approach that has made her work popular with musicians looking for new works to showcase their abilities. Her philosophy of composition is simple: music should be a joy both to play and to hear.

Her music has been performed across the United States as well as internationally, at major concert venues, conferences, and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Rathaus, Tanglewood, The Midwest Clinic, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the International Trombone Festival, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Spanish Brass Alzira Festival. Her works are published by The FJH Music Company, Balquhidder Music, Frank E. Warren Music Service, Fatrock Ink, Hal Leonard, Grand Mesa Music, Alfred Music Publishing, Boosey & Hawkes, and Theodore Presser.

Lauren Bernofsky's music can be heard on the Polarfonia, Albany, Music to My Ears, and Emertitus labels. She lives in Bloomington, IN with her husband, Christoph Irmscher, and their children, Nicholas and Julia.