Prof. Lauren Mechell

Lauren Mechell is an instructor at WSU where she teaches applied piano and class piano.  Ms. Mechell's duties also include preparing prospective music education majors to pass their piano proficiency requirements and assisting with the choir's annual Madrigal Banquet. 

Ms. Mechell graduated with honors in 1979, receiving her Bachelor of Music Education degree with a concentration in piano from Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA.  She began studying piano at an early age with her father, William Vengen, who studied at Julliard, and subsequently studied piano with Lambert Orkis, professor of piano at Temple University.  Since moving to Winona, she has studied with James Howsman.

Ms. Mechell's teaching experience spans over twenty years and four states. Throughout her career, she has maintained a private studio of students and has been active as an adjudicator for the National Federation of Music Clubs in Illinois, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and most recently for the Wisconsin MTNA competitions held at Viterbo College in 1996.  Ms. Mechell enjoys composing and had the honor of having one of her choral compositions premiered during a ground-breaking ceremony at the University of Arkansas, where the then-Governor Bill Clinton gave the dedicatory address.  In September of 2000, the WSU Concert Choir performed "Salutation to the Dawn," composed by Ms. Mechell, for the dedication of WSU's new library.

In the past, Ms. Mechell has directed the Winona State University Children's Choir and the Winona State University Boys Choir.  A member of Central Lutheran Church, she sings in the Senior Church Choir.  Ms. Mechell is a member of ACDA, MENC, and MEME.  She also serves as Membership Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Winona Oratorio Chorus.