海角社区

 

海角社区 named alumnus Eric Lau the Dean of the College of Music & Dramatic Arts in July 2023. Lau was selected from a competitive pool of highly qualified candidates for his professional and leadership experience in music and higher education. As a saxophonist, Lau is an active performer and teacher who has presented concerts, masterclasses, and clinics throughout the United States, Europe, Puerto Rico and Brazil.  

鈥淲e are excited to welcome Eric Lau to 海角社区, where his experience will help us elevate our already exemplary College of Music & Dramatic Arts,鈥� said 海角社区 President William F. Tate IV. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special thing to welcome an 海角社区 alumnus back home and into a position of such esteem. We can鈥檛 wait to see what Dr. Lau and our talented faculty and staff in the College of Music & Dramatic Arts will do together in the very near future.鈥�

Lau graduated summa cum laude from 海角社区 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music and was a member of The Golden Band from Tigerland. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Lau was recruited to 海角社区 by former Director of Bands Frank Wickes. Both of Lau鈥檚 high school band directors 鈥� who had themselves been students of Wickes鈥� 鈥� also encouraged him to attend 海角社区. As a Tiger, Lau was a recipient of the University Chancellor鈥檚 Honors Scholarship and the Louisiana Music Activities Award.

After graduating from 海角社区, Lau received Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Michigan State University, where he was a recipient of both the Catherine Herrick Cobb Fellowship and the Dean鈥檚 Recruitment Fellowship.

鈥淚 am thrilled to return to 海角社区 as the Dean of the College of Music & Dramatic Arts.鈥� Lau said. 鈥淎s a graduate of 海角社区, I know first-hand the excellence of the CMDA and have closely followed the continued success of the programs throughout my career. The College is a national leader in music and theatrical arts and has a long tradition of contributing to the artistic and cultural landscape of Louisiana. I am honored to join the outstanding faculty and staff of the college as we train the next generation of scholars, performers, creators, and leaders for the 21st century.鈥�   

Prior to his appointment as Dean at the University of New Mexico, Lau served as chair of the UNM Department of Music and professor of saxophone. During his tenure as department chair, Lau directed the department through its academic program review process, led a curricular redesign, established a plan to address faculty salary issues, and helped secure the largest single gift to the Department of Music in over 20 years. As Dean, Lau oversaw the successful transition of the UNM ROTC to University College, spearheaded an alternative pathway for current and transfer students into the Honors College, and facilitated substantial increases in philanthropic giving to both units.

鈥淚 am pleased to welcome Eric Lau and his family back to 海角社区,鈥� said 海角社区 Executive Vice President & Provost Roy Haggerty. 鈥淒r. Lau鈥檚 experience as Dean of both the Honors College and University College at the University of New Mexico, his chairmanship of the UNM Department of Music for five years, his record of scholarship and his performance as a professional musician make him an excellent choice to lead our College of Music & Dramatic Arts.鈥�

As a concerto soloist, Lau has been featured at the National and Regional North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Roswell Symphony. Lau co-founded a saxophone quartet, Iridium, that has produced four professional CDs and eight world-premiere recordings. Lau is a regular performer with the New Mexico Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the Santa Fe Opera.