Welcome!

My name is Eska Laskus and I'm the new Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the School of Music and Dance. I'm thrilled to join this amazing institution! The beauty of the school, the warmth and intelligence of all the faculty and staff and the vibrant community of Eugene have all made me feel truly welcome and at home.  As I get settled into this new position, I have discovered that I am joining the school at the end of an eventful academic year.  I am delighted by the number of recent student accomplishments, including:

• A performance of contemporary music theater in Berlin, Germany at the Konzerthaus
• Performance at the annual Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA
• Recipient of the prestigious Alvin H. Johnson AMS 50 Dissertation Fellowship
• The award for best Jazz Arrangement from the leading jazz publication Downbeat Magazine
• Top prize winners at the OMTA piano competition and MTNA northwest competition
• Graduates continuing their education at Juilliard, Rice, University of Maryland
• Faculty positions won at University of South Carolina, University of Idaho, Rice University, Vienna Conservatory in Austria and Indiana University among others. 

We look ahead to another exciting year that will include a choir tour to Estonia and Finland, the celebrated Chamber Music@Beall series, and distinguished artists such as flutist Luis Julio Toro from Venezuela and the renowned conductor Marin Alsop in a side-by-side concert with the Eugene Symphony. Personally, I am also looking forward to kicking back and listening to some groovy tunes at our weekly Jazz Café and participating in the frenzy of the grand Festival of Bands which happens every year at our very own Autzen Stadium. Also in the works are career preparation seminars that we will be hosting for our students and alumni. We will feature outstanding alumni and visiting artists who will talk about their career paths and offer insightful tips and strategies for having a successful career in music.

As the year starts, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions that you might have about our school, our programs or the School of Music and Dance application. I hope that you will find the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance every bit as inspiring as I do and that I can make the college application process, whether you are a student, parent or a teacher, as smooth and easy as possible, perhaps even somewhat enjoyable.

I look forward to meeting you and keeping in touch throughout the year!

All the best,

Eska Laskus
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
School of Music and Dance
University of Oregon

P.S. Please be on the lookout for my new Admissions Blog, where I'll post our latest admission events, application tips, faculty interviews and my reflections as I travel to different schools and college fairs this year.