Dr. Lauren Rausch is the Director of the San Diego State University Community Music School and a member of its violin faculty. She leads the Community Music School’s programs, providing music education and performance opportunities to students and community members of all ages. She also serves as Director of the San Diego Symphony’s High School Ambassadors, a leadership program that provides high school students with opportunities for mentorship and professional development in the arts.

Prior to joining SDSU, Lauren served as Social Impact & Leadership Programs Manager at the San Diego Symphony and as Program Manager at the San Diego Youth Symphony, where she managed 12 orchestras and bands serving more than 600 students. She also directed the Young Peoples’ String Program at the Peabody Preparatory and has served on the violin faculty of the YOLA National Festival for the past 10 years.

Lauren holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. With her rich background in both performance and education, and her deep commitment to community engagement, Lauren is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of music in the lives of young people and the broader community.