Eastside Business Woman has Many Hidden Talents
Singing has always been a part of Laurie Boisclair’s life, and she happens to be very, very good at it. Laurie’s high school choir director Herbert Johnson in Crown Point, Indiana, recognized her talent and awarded her opportunities to share her gift, including a Benedictus solo and a twenty-one day European tour singing with her high school choir. Through Johnson’s mentorship and support, Laurie earned a full ride to Indiana State University to pursue a degree in vocal music, but she was worried.
When choosing a college major, many young, hopeful artists are asked to consider a “back-up plan” for their career paths. Laurie Boisclair took this recommendation to heart when she eventually declared her Marketing Major at the Kellogg School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington. However, she made sure to keep her musical skills in tune by continuing to study voice as a non-major, having graduate students as instructors.
Cincinnati is lucky she did!
Laurie has contributed more than her beautiful voice to the Chorus during her 15 years of performing with the May Festival. As a longtime member of the May Festival’s Chorus Committee, she was vital in the selection of Jim Effler as the artist for Robert Porco’s 25th anniversary oil-on-canvas portrait, which hangs in Music Hall. A successful self-employed business woman and trusted advisor for 30 years with TSI (Transworld Systems), this all-around high achiever was also the owner of a collection agency for 10 years. Laurie’s natural leadership abilities have been a blessing to the May Festival.
“My love for the music continues to grow with each May Festival performance. The experiences during the past 15 years have been challenging, exhilarating, and laser focused on perfection, thanks to Robert Porco and my fellow chorus family expecting nothing less.”
Laurie also enjoys her role as Praise Team Leader for contemporary services at her “church home” -- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenwood. In keeping with her well-rounded approach to life, this role allows her to balance her study of classical music at the May Festival with a bit of pop music flair.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Laurie is a member of the Rosie Reds, a Stephen Minister, and a volunteer for SCORE, a national organization of executive women who mentor new and small business owners. When she’s not serving her community, Laurie and her husband Rich Ellsworth enjoy travelling wine country in search of the perfect Tempranillo, Barbera, or Malbec, making small batch wines at home, and visiting with their five sons and four grandchildren.
While Laurie might tell you that she doesn’t have a musical background, the research shows that studying music in her youth was a major factor in developing her skills in critical thinking, problem solving, perseverance, and collaboration. The May Festival helps to foster these important abilities among youth through the May Festival Youth Chorus and outreach collaborations like the Cincinnati Choral Academy. Consider supporting our unique ability to develop and foster tomorrow’s leaders with a gift to the May Festival today.
Listen to Laurie’s favorite choral works on the May Festival’s Spotify channel!