Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Denver School of the Arts Orchestra (DSAO) is an intensive program for string musicians seeking to develop their talent, understanding, and passion for music. As the Rocky Mountain Region’s only public 6-12 school for the arts, and a member of the Denver Public Schools, DSA welcomes promising young students who seek a challenging and inspiring environment in which to pursue their musical passion. Acceptance into the program is by completion of a successful audition, portfolio and interview. We welcome students of varying technical levels and ability who demonstrate talent, potential and dedication to string playing and to the art of making music.
The DSA Orchestra Program is made up of two primary performing groups: the DSA String Orchestra (high school), the Sinfonia (middle school). Ancillary groups consist of a high school Jazz Orchestra, in conjunction with the DSA Band Program, as well as chamber music ensembles, master classes and opportunities to perform in a music theater setting. The course of study at DSA is a pre-conservatory, project based model which includes daily rehearsals in large and small ensembles, music theory and musicology classes in cooperation with the other DSA music departments and various assignments designed to expose students to an array of music careers and performance opportunities. Collaboration with other majors at the school, such as dance and theatre, is encouraged and fostered.
Regional, national, and international travel is incorporated into the orchestra curricula, as a means of providing opportunities to perform at competitions and festivals, exposing students to master classes, clinics and adjudications with world class music professionals, promoting global awareness and evolving cultural ambassadorship.
Denver School of the Arts Advanced String Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Dr. Enrique Leon Lasansky was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He came to the United States at the age of 9. His musical studies began as a clarinetist. Enrique was a student of the legendary, Anthony Gigliotti, long-time 1st.clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Upon graduation from Swarthmore College, Enrique received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for clarinet and conducting studies in Europe. Subsequently, he received an M.F.A In Orchestral Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University. During four summers at the Pierre Monteux School for Advanced Conductors in Maine and in private lessons at Hartford, Enrique studied with his principal conducting influence, Charles Bruck. Maestro Bruck was Pierre Monteux’s (conductor who premiered The Rite of Spring) main protege. In 1991 Enrique Lasansky received a Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from the University of Arizona. That same year he founded the Catalina Chamber Orchestra (CCO) in Tucson where he served as Music Director from 1991- 2008. Dr. Lasansky also served as clarinetist and bass clarinetist with the Arizona Opera Company.
The CCO started as an amateur group and became a professional ensemble by 2002. The orchestra produced two CD’s, “The Catalina Chamber Orchestra” and “New Music from the Southwest”. Both cd’s were favorably reviewed in both local and national media. In addition, the CCO was on the Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and performed numerous concerts and workshops in the public schools. The CCO championed contemporary music and performed numerous compositions written expressly for the group.
Enrique Lasansky has appeared as guest conductor with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Tucson-Messiah Sing-In, Pima Community College Opera Theater, The Chandler Symphony, The Orquesta de Avellaneda in Buenos Aires, The Paris Sinfonietta and two appearances with La Orquesta del Estado de Mexico, one of Mexico’s major professional orchestras. Recently he conducted the Wieck Chamber Singers and Orchestra, a professional oratorio and opera organization. Dr. Lasansky was named conductor of the Golden Corridor Orchestra in Pinal County, Arizona in 2010.
In addition to being a clarinetist, Dr. Lasansky plays violin, viola and piano.
He has taught string orchestra in the public schools of San Antonio, Texas and Tucson, Arizona for thirteen years. His groups have performed with distinction at numerous festivals and competitions. In 2013 he became the Director of Orchestras at the Denver School of the Arts. Under Lasansky's direction the orchestra has performed on Colorado Public Radio and was aos selected to perform at the 2015 Midwest Clinic.
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