About the Laudami Ensemble
The Laudami Ensemble, a period instrument ensemble based in the San Francisco Bay Area, "impressed listeners with a careful use of dynamics and variety of bowing techniques" (Early Music America). Its core members consist of Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo, baroque violin, David Ross, baroque flute, and Michael Peterson, harpsichord. The ensemble’s name was formed by taking the first letters of each artist’s name, Lau-da-mi. In January 2014 Laudami presented a program of solo and trio sonatas by the Bach family, and in June they gave a fringe concert of French and Italian Styles at the Berkeley Early Music Festival.
Mr. Ross is the principal flutist of New Vintage Baroque, a period-instrument chamber ensemble based in New York City where he resides. Hailed by Wilbert Hazelzet as “a most talented flute player, gifted with natural skills,” and “a very creative and inspiring musician,” Mr. Ross is known for his beautiful, clear sound, and creativity in performances. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in early music from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where he met Michael Peterson, and a Master's Degree from the acclaimed Juilliard School's Historical Performance program, where he met Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo. In 2014-2015, Mr. Ross' freelance engagements include concerts with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Mercury Baroque, Seraphic Fire, The Sebastians, Ama Deus Ensemble, Early Music New York, Bach Society of Minnesota, and Flying Forms. Mr. Ross remains dedicated to exploring and expanding the possibilities of his instrument, prioritizing creativity and spontaneity in his philosophy of playing. Find out more about him at his personal website.
Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo performs regularly on period and modern instruments in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Asia. She has performed under Nicholas McGegan, Masaaki Suzuki (as violinist and principal violist), William Christie, Richard Egarr, Jordi Savall, Monica Huggett, Mark Morris, Manfredo Kraemer, and Jeffrey Thomas.
Ms. Rubinstein-Salzedo's violin concerto performance in New Zealand was praised by the Otago Times for its “excellent pace, and its exciting and forward motion”.
Ms. Rubinstein-Salzedo studied with Elizabeth Blumenstock and at the Juilliard School with Monica Huggett and Cynthia Roberts. She plays a 1690 Caspar Borbon violin, made in Brussels. When not making music, Laura enjoys baking, photography, knitting, and playing with her cat, Sherbert. Learn more at her own website.
Mr. Peterson has performed nationally and internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. His repertoire spans nearly five hundred years, with an emphasis on music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He enjoys bringing music to life in ways that stretch beyond the traditional concert experience; examples include living history programs, lecture recitals, and contributions to continuing studies courses. Recently, he has performed with the ensemble Gabrieli West and he will be playing later this season with American Bach Soloists. Mr. Peterson graduated with honors in harpsichord performance from Stanford University, where his teacher was Elaine Thornburgh. He is now pursuing a diploma at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where he studies harpsichord with Jacques Ogg and basso continuo with Patrick Ayrton. Outside of music, Mr. Peterson teaches mathematics at the community college level and has a passion for visiting national parks. For more information, check out his personal website here.
The Laudami Ensemble is a non-profit affiliate of the San Francisco Early Music Society.