Laura Usiskin, cello, is a junior undergraduate enrolled in the Columbia-Juilliard
exchange program. She began her cello studies at age 5 with Gilda Barston at
the Music Institute of Chicago and currently studies with Fred Sherry of the
Juilliard School. In January 2001, Laura was invited to compete in Miami for
the Arts Recognition and Talent Search festival, and in May 2001, she received
top honors at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Division
with a piano trio. Laura is currently co-principal of both the Columbia University Orchestra and the Columbia Bach Society Orchestra, and plays in several chamber ensembles. Laura has participated in such festivals as the National Festival of the Arts, the National Youth Orchestra Festival, the Fifth Cello Congress, and several Suzuki Association of Americas conventions. Summer festivals include the Utah Chamber Music Festival (2001), the Bang-on-a-Can Summer Music Institute (2002), and the International Musical Arts Institute (2003). She has also participated in master classes led by Eleanore Schoenfeldt, Timothy Eddy, Richard Aaron, Alan Harris, and Marc Johnson.
Laura was a National Merit Finalist in 2001, is on the Dean's List at Columbia, and is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior.