Lauren Sperry began her lifelong saxophone obsession at a
n early age. She was a part of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s youth jazz and classical programs (UJAY and UWAY) and studied saxophone from Berkeley Fudge and Curt Hanrahan. After high school, Lauren continued her studies at the Berklee College of Music where she studied with saxophonist Jeff Harrington and percussionist Joe Galeota. She finished her studies in 2006 at UWM with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Multiple Woodwind Performance. Lauren’s primary teachers at UWM were Curt Hanrahan (saxophone), Steve Nelson-Raney (jazz), Jeani Foster and Caen Thomason-Redus (flute), William Helmers and Kyle Knox (clarinet), and Katja Phillabaum (piano). Lauren later went on to study oboe with Bonnie Cohen.
Lauren’s wide ranging freelance career has afforded her the opportunity to share the stage with many notable musicians, bands, and performing organizations such as: Violent Femmes, Sheila E., Orquesta Veneno, Jeff Morales, Jose “Papo” Rivera, St. Louis Jesuits, the Booze Brothers Show Band & Revue, The Four Aces, Cold Sweat and the Brew City Horns, The All-Star SuperBand, Side Car Steph and the 7-10 Split, Vinnie Falcone, Ron DeVillers bands, Jeannie Holiday, Torn Soul, Kelli and the Soul Mates, Katrina DeVille and the Nobody Famous, Solstice Theatre Company, A Mile in My Shoes Productions, Bradford Theatre, Carte Blanche Studios, Shorewood Players, Hartford Players, UW-Washington County, and UWM’s Opera Orchestra. Currently, Lauren performs with Orquesta Unidos En Cristo, Swing Nouveau, Bill Sargent Band, Lou’s Jazz Express, Jonny T and the MPs, Almighty Vinyl, and Groove Therapy.