Born in a little town just outside of Toronto, Canada, Lauren Boismier began traveling at an early age and grew up mainly in the Midwest of the U.S. Her mother raised her with a strong foundation in the fine arts, taking her to concerts, ballets, and theatrical productions from an early age. Lauren joined the percussion section in 5th grade; by 8th grade she began taking private lessons at EIU from Peter Hussey and joined her local community orchestra. The following year she began giving private lessons to younger students in her band program. During the summer of 2000, Lauren participated in the Illinois Ambassadors of Music European Tour where she met Dr. Larry Stoffel, who suggested she inquire about his university. She later met Lynn Slater, KSO's first chair violist. This chain of events, including her experiences as drum major of her marching band during her senior year at Effingham High School, led Lauren to tour NIU and consider majoring in music.

During the fall of 2002, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra's previous stage manager, Brian Bosler, asked her to join the percussion section as well as help as stage crew for the concert. Lauren was excited to play in such an architecturally intriguing venue such as the Egyptian Theatre and was flattered to be asked to fill Brian's shoes after he graduated. Lauren has been with the KSO ever since, and she is happy to continue performing and working with us for another season.

Recently you may have seen Lauren performing in several NIU music ensembles including the steel band, percussion ensemble, early music ensemble, gamelan ensemble and various concert and athletic bands. She sang alto in the Diocesan Centennial Celebration Choir during the mass last month at the Convocation Center. She also played percussion instruments for the Methodist Patriotic Chorale this past June, and performed in the percussion section of the DeKalb Municipal Band for the past three summers. You may have also heard her keeping the beat in several pit orchestras such as the DeKalb Children's Community Theatre's production of Beauty & the Beast, as well as Stage Coach Players' School House Rock, Seussical the Musical, and High School Musical. Last summer, Lauren played in the pit orchestras of Once Upon a Mattress and Little Shop of Horrors through Festival 56 in Princeton, IL. Lauren volunteers at the Newman Catholic Student Center through the Student Ministry Team; teaches sixth grade religious education classes; and sings and plays in the college, teen, and children's choirs as well as the praise band that she co-founded just last year.

Lauren also teaches private beginning piano and intermediate percussion lessons, and recently started teaching drum set lessons at Poc's Music located in downtown DeKalb. Lauren looks forward to graduating this coming December with her B.M. in Music Performance and continuing her education with a semester of student teaching to graduate with her B.M. in Music Education. Lauren would like to thank her percussion professors: Rich Holly, Robert Chappell, Greg Beyer, and Ben Wahlund for their instruction; Lynn Retherford, Lynn Slater, and Jen Conley for their counsel; the families who have employed and entrusted her to care for their children; the amazing Christian friends that she has made on campus; and her mother and sister for their love and support, as well as their presence at this concert.