Laurel Filzen Etzel

Part-Time Instructor of Music

• Email: laurelfilzenetzel@augustana.edu
• Office: Bergendoff

Laurel Filzen Etzel is the instructor of horn at Augustana. Laurel earned her Master of Music degree in Horn Performance from Western Michigan University in April 2006 where she studied with Dr. Lin Foulk. This was followed by an additional year of study at WMU as a candidate for a Master of Music in Conducting, studying conducting with Dr. Robert Spradling, Dr. David Montgomery, and Dr. James Bass. She was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship for both degree programs. As a Teaching Assistant in horn, one of her responsibilities was directing the horn choir and assisting with the brass techniques class. As a Teaching Assistant in conducting, she directed the Bronco Pep Band, assisted with Concert Band and Bronco Marching Band, and taught basic conducting. Laurel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University in Music Performance in May 2004 where she studied with Dr. Randall Faust.

In addition to teaching at Augustana, Laurel is active as a freelance musician throughout Central and Western Illinois both as a hornist and as a singer. She performs regularly as the Assistant Director and third horn for the Peoria Municipal Band, with the Knox Galesburg Symphony, and is the hornist with the River Valley Brass Quintet.

Prior to moving to Moline in 2021, Laurel was the Executive Director of Central Illinois Ballet and its official school, Cornerstone Academy of Performing Arts. Additional past experiences are as an adjunct faculty member at Illinois Central College, where she taught music appreciation, as well as applied horn; she was also concurrently the Director of the Knox Sandburg Community Concert Band at Knox College and taught applied horn.

Laurel’s professional affiliations include being  a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 301; Mu Phi Epsilon, Beta Omicron Chapter; and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Beta Sigma Chapter.