Laura Oomens – violinist /violist, chamber musician and coach

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Born in 1978 into a Dutch family of professional musicians, Laura grew up in Germany. Aged four, she already appeared to be passionate about the violin and so her father, violinist Radboud Oomens, started teaching her. She continued her studies consecutively with Herman Krebbers (1990-1997), Uwe-Martin Haiberg (1997-2003), Stephanie Gonley (2001-2002) and David Takeno (2003-2004). In 2004 Laura concluded her studies with a Master in Music Performance at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.

​From 2007 to 2010 Laura was a member of the Residentie Orchestra in The Hague, in her final year as second concertmaster. Since 2012 Laura has been co-leader of the second violins at the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, led by Gordán Nikolic. In addition Laura regularly collaborates with other orchestras and ensembles as a guest leader.

​In solo and chamber music Laura plays both the violin and the viola. Since 2023 pianist Ksenia Kouzmenko and Laura Oomens regularly perform as a duo. 

As initiator and artistic leader of Close-Up Classics Laura organises and programmes chamber music concerts, such as the recently launched “Dorpskerkconcerten Bloemendaal”. She also initiated CONNECT! - a project designed especially to promote musical diversity and social cohesion. 

​Next to her stage activities Laura works as a coach for young professionals and upcoming ensembles, focusing on music-making with joy and trust. 

Laura also enjoys taking the stage as a public speaker in order to educate and inform a wider audience on the importance of arts and culture in society.

​The violin she plays is a Joseph Gagliano from 1779, kindly lent to her by the Netherlands Musical Instruments Foundation. The viola she plays was made by an anonymous luthier in 2010, with a bow by Daniël ter Berg, also loaned by the same foundation.​​