Laura Ellis, DMA

Professor of Organ and Carillon

College of the Arts

2024 Awardee

Laura Ellis is a professor of organ and carillon and associate director of the School of Music. She teaches courses in sacred music and applied lessons in organ, harpsichord and carillon. Her research falls into two areas: organ performance and carillon performance. While not the sole focus, much of her research and performing includes representation of women composers.

Her carillon recital schedule has taken her across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. She recently released “Jubilant Bells: Carillon Music of Alice Gomez,” which was recorded on the 48-bell carillon at Central Christian Church in San Antonio, Texas. In the past year, she has presented carillon recitals throughout the Northeast and Midwest, including such prestigious venues as the University of Chicago, Indiana University, Princeton University, Philadelphia’s Longwood Gardens and Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida. She served as president of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America from 2021-2023.

Her double album “Music for the Testaments Old and New” was recorded on the pipe organ housed in UF’s University Auditorium. The album features organ compositions which depict or bring to life scripture, liturgical actions and sacred actions. Her March 2024 faculty organ recital included three thematic elements: “The Journey from Lent to Easter”; “Songs of Inspiration”; and “Prayers for Our Time,” offered for our fractured world.

Ellis is in the planning stages for the 2025 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the UF’s Andrew Anderson Memorial Organ. During this celebration, she will recreate one of the concert programs of UF’s first organ professor, Claude Murphree.

Her other work includes an organ CD project centered on the concept of “sacred space” and continued documentation of the American recital tours of French female organ virtuoso and composer Jeanne Demessieux. Her well-known recording “Legacy: Laura Ellis Plays the Works of Jeanne Demessieux” was recently made available on multiple digital platforms.