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ADMINISTRATION


EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR –Marc Gordon is a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, where he worked with the CMSSL team to develop the popular chamber music concert series. Since the inaugural 2009 concert, his vision for a relaxed, informal cabaret-style format and carefully considered programming has delivered memorable evenings of chamber music to St. Louis audiences.

A native of Chicago, Marc studied at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University and the American Conservatory with Chicago Symphony oboists Ray Still and Richard Kanter. He served as English horn soloist and as oboist with the St. Louis Symphony from 1972–2005, performed with the Chicago Symphony during the 2005 -2008 seasons and with the San Diego Symphony in the 2008–2009 season. Earlier appointments included the Milwaukee Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and two seasons with Grant Park Symphony in Chicago. He has been an avid chamber music performer and teacher.

Beyond performance, Marc has extensive business and civic experience. He co-founded St. Louis–based AAM Recordings, overseeing client development, design, distribution and negotiating an exclusive licensing agreement with Sony/BMG. He has served on the Board of the St. Louis Symphony, participated on numerous committees, and is a longtime judge and supporter of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation Teen Talent Competition..

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS –Laura A. Holzen is an accomplished leader and music educator with extensive experience and a passion for fostering musical excellence in her students and community. She earned both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

In her most recent role as Artistic Coordinator at the Community Music School at Webster University, Laura cultivated relationships with professional musicians, overseeing hiring, and coordinating their involvement in educational programs. She brings this experience, leadership and organizational skills to her position as CMSSL Director of Operations.

Throughout her career, Laura has held impactful positions in music education. In addition to her administrative roles, she has served as an orchestra teacher in three prominent Missouri school districts: Rockwood, Fort Zumwalt, and Parkway. At each, she was an integral part of their music programs, inspiring students and elevating the quality of instruction.

Laura’s dedication to music education has earned her numerous accolades. She was a 2013 and 2017 Rockwood School District Rose Award Nominee, recognizing her outstanding contributions to education. In 2013, she received the prestigious Symphony in Your School Grant from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she was named the 2016 American String Teachers Association Missouri Chapter Elementary Educator of the Year, honoring her exceptional teaching and leadership in string education.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION – Twinda comes to The Chamber after a 34-year career of public-school orchestra teaching at all levels in the Hazelwood, Rockwood, Webster Groves and Ladue School Districts. As Director of Orchestras in the Ladue School District, she led a team of dedicated music educators to double the number of students in the orchestra program, add another orchestra level, support dozens of Missouri All State Orchestra members and win a spot to perform at the Missouri Music Educator’s Conference with the high school orchestra.  

Twinda led a program at Most Holy Trinity School providing group violin lessons for students in an underserved community. She taught private violin lessons for more than 30 years at Teipen Performing Arts and Berkley School for the Arts in North St. Louis County, and currently serves as the Director of the Community Music School of Webster University String Orchestra. 

Twinda has held leadership roles in the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators’ Association and the Missouri Music Educators’ Association, hosted many orchestra festivals and has been an adjudicator and clinician for the Metro District 8 Honor Orchestra and the E. Desmond Lee Festival High School and Middle School Orchestras.