Lauren Garza received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in performance from Michigan State University in 2007, where she studied with Robert Dan. She also received her Masters Degree in performance from Michigan State and her Bachelors Degree from Hope College where she studied with Mihai Craioveanu. She is an active orchestral performer, currently as the principal violist of the Holland Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She freelances in the West Michigan area, plays regularly on the Free @ 3 Chamber Music Series and has also performed with Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck. Lauren has a private studio of violin and viola students, and has conducted viola sectionals for schools in the Holland Area. She has been the General Manager of Holland Symphony Youth Orchestras since May 2007. Lauren and her husband Benji have three children, Simon, Manuel and Ramona.