Praised for her “sweet and distinct tone…breathtaking in colour “(Whole Note), flutist Laurel Swinden enjoys a busy schedule as a recitalist, orchestral performer and chamber musician. Dr. Swinden has performed with numerous orchestras across Ontario and in the southern United States. Recent recital presentations include performances at the National Flute Association Convention, Festivales Internacionales des Flautistas (Lima, Peru), Sichuan Conservatory (Chengdu, China), the Canadian Flute Convention, and the Perimeter Institute. Dr. Swinden’s CD Celebrating Women!: Music for Flute and Piano by Women Composers with pianist Stephanie Mara garnered critical acclaim. A second recording of the Celebrating Women Project, featuring works entirely by Canadian women composers is forthcoming.

Laurel is in demand as a clinician, teacher, adjudicator, coach and examiner. Dr. Swinden is the Instructor of Flute at the University of Guelph, Special Instructor of Flute at the University of Windsor, Flute Faculty at the Laurier Conservatory’s Beckett School and is a former faculty member of the Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, coaching flute ensemble, chamber ensemble, teaching applied flute and instrumental methods classes. She has adjudicated at festivals across Canada and the US, and served as a juror for the Ontario Arts Council and the National Flute Association.