Four the Soul

An eloquent and articulate artist on and off the podium renowned for her dynamic leadership, energetic performances, and progressive vision, American conductor Laura Jackson is praised for her innovation, passion, and commitment to the continued growth of the symphonic repertoire and expanding music’s impact within communities. Having served as the fourth Music Director and Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (Reno Phil) since 2009, her contract has been unanimously renewed through the end of 2028-2029 season, ensuring that diverse, compelling repertoire, and creative community programming will continue through the organization’s 60th anniversary. A 21st century conductor at home with repertoire from every era, Jackson is recognized for her championing of new music, her creativity with commissions, and her commitment to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of musicians, composers and women conductors. She is in her third season as an official mentor to emerging women conductors across the globe in the Taki-Alsop Foundation’s Fellowship program. With the Reno Phil, she also partners with the Davidson Institute in Reno Nevada to feature their instrumental fellows in concert. A frequent guest conductor, she has led distinguished ensembles across the United States, Canada, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Algeria, and China, and her relationships with orchestras continue to expand. 

A champion of living composers, Laura Jackson created the Reno Philharmonic’s Composers in Residence initiative and has commissioned and presented several world premieres. She has led over 50 Reno Phil premieres and multiple Western U.S. premieres. Under her leadership, the Reno Phil has expanded its community and education programs to include the Composers in Residence, Conduct Us, movies with live orchestra performances, the annual Play for a Day, and the youth orchestras have expanded from three to five ensembles. Additionally, live streaming of concerts was introduced in 2020. 

For over four decades on the concert stage, the Grammy® Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) has set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles. As one of the most charismatic chamber groups performing today, the LAGQ’s critically acclaimed  transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations from contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground.  

Their newest recording, Opalescent (LAGQ Records), was released in Spring 2022, reflecting LAGQ’s rich palette of colors and sparkling sound. 2021 releases include the Grammy® nominated The Singing Guitar (Delos), a collaboration with the Grammy-winning choir Conspirare, and Pat Metheny’s Road to the Sun (Modern Recordings/BMG). The monumental title track was written expressly for LAGQ, and the release hit #1 on the Apple Music Classical charts. In addition to quartet programs, other touring highlights include collaborative works with choir, guitar orchestra, symphony orchestra and a “Latin Romance” program with vocalists and flamenco dancers.  

 LAGQ entered a new chapter in 2023 with the retirement of founding member Scott Tennant, welcoming Douglas Lora (of the Brazil Guitar Duo). Douglas brings a new energy and enthusiasm to the group, contributing his original compositions and deep knowledge of traditional Brazilian genres.