Laura York, clarinet

Here is an interview with Laura in 2020:
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What instruments do you play?
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Piano, various saxophones

How long have you played these instruments?
I started clarinet when I was in 6th grade and piano when I was in 2nd grade, so 18 years for clarinet and 22 for piano.

How long have you been a Wilmington Symphony Orchestra musician?
I have been a member of the WSO for 5 years now.

What do you do for a career?
I am a freelance musician playing mostly in the pit orchestra for musicals at Thalian Hall and teaching private clarinet lessons, but I am also a church secretary.

Where did you grow up?
Right here in Wilmington!

What is your favorite song, artist, and/or musical memory?
This is a tough one! I love the feeling of being a part of a symphony and am especially fond of Tchaikovsky, but I have a hard time picking a specific performance. I also really love playing as part of a pit orchestra for musicals, one of my favorite experiences being “Cabaret” while I was a student at ECU. A favorite current artist of mine would probably be the Avett Brothers, but this changes frequently!

Favorite meal or restaurant?
I'll never pass up a good steak!

Favorite beverage?
Sprite, unless a chocolate milkshake counts?

What is your favorite vacation?
Probably the cruise my husband and I went on for our honeymoon! We stopped at ports in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras - the food was great and the scenery was beautiful! I'd really love to take a trip to some of the national parks out west, though. I have been to a couple but I was young and I would enjoy them more now.

You're stuck on a desert island... What book, music/album/artist, and/or movie do you want with you??
So many! But I would probably go with the Harry Potter series (books) - I still enjoy them no matter how many times I've read them.

What's your pet situation?
I have a beagle/Australian shepherd mix named Bo! He is the cutest dog and loves to sing along with me when I practice, much to the dismay of my husband...

What do you want people to know about the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra?
It is a great group of talented musicians and I am looking forward to the day when we get to perform together again!

How are you keeping yourself occupied while being at home all day?
Thankfully I have not been stuck at home during the pandemic so I have been keeping myself busy with work for the most part!

Any words of wisdom to help others through this?
Please be kind to each other!

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