In this rehearsal lab, Mr. Scott Laird will demonstrate rehearsal strategies and concepts with an emphasis on practical pedagogy that you can implement in your ensemble rehearsals as early as tomorrow. The rehearsal lab will feature the wonderful musicians of the Main South Orchestra under the direction of Leo Park.
Scott Laird
- Biographical Information
Scott Laird retired at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year from the faculty of The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, where he was Fine Arts Chair and Instructor of Music after a fulfilling 40-year career in public string education. Noted for his innovative approach to ensemble development and musicianship, Laird is a frequent conductor of honor orchestras and is a sought-after conference presenter. He regularly performs on acoustic and electric violin and is known for his abilities in both the classical and improvisatory arena. He earned his B.S. in Music Education and his M.A. in Violin Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied violin with Prof. Delight Malitsky. His blog, “Thoughts of a String Educator,” enjoys broad readership in the music education community. In addition, Laird serves as a sponsored artist and educational specialist for D’Addario Orchestral, CodaBow, and NS Design Electric Violins.
Leo Park is a seasoned music educator with 25 years of experience in public schools. He currently teaches orchestra and guitar courses at Maine South High School and music production classes at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. Previously, Leo spent 22 years instructing various levels of orchestra and a performance-based popular music course at Northside College Prep High School in Chicago, Illinois. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching strings methods and techniques at Northeastern Illinois University and North Park University, as well as secondary general music methods in the graduate program at VanderCook College of Music. Additionally, Leo has worked as an Arts Instruction Specialist and Communities of Practice facilitator for Chicago Public Schools, and has represented District 1 as the Orchestra Representative for the Illinois Music Education Association. Currently, Leo serves as the content editor for The Scroll, a publication of the Illinois American String Teachers Association, and as a member of the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Music Advisory Committee. He is a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award and has received several honors, including the 2025 Illinois Orchestra Teacher of the Year Award, 2018 Illinois Asian Pacific American Commitment in Education Award and the 2016 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award. Leo is an Eastman Strings artist/clinician and performs with the post-rock band Okay Kiddos and the classical-adjacent quintet Glistener.