Performer Biography

Nora Willauer

Nora Willauer is a passionate musician, devoted not only to her instrument, but to the relationship between music and community. Last spring, Nora graduated cum laude from the Clark Honors College and the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. She is currently pursuing her masters degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Mark Kosower, the principal cellist of The Cleveland Orchestra.

In the past few years, Nora has performed as a soloist with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, the Liceu Cello Ensemble in Barcelona, and the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra. She has won numerous prizes including the Labberte-Hoedemaker Award from the Peter de Grote festival in the Netherlands, the University of Oregon’s Undergraduate Performance Award and the Eugene Symphony’s Young Artist Competition.

Nora currently tours with Palaver Strings, a Boston-based chamber orchestra, and the Push Farther Project, a Maine-based progressive folk trio. Nora’s current passion project, “Songs of #MeToo,” utilizes documentary songwriting to collaborate with sexual misconduct victims. Nora released an album under the project’s title this summer, and has performed these songs throughout New England. Her album will be featured on Cleveland’s NPR station this coming spring.

When she is not playing music, Nora enjoys outdoor activities such as surfing, running, sailing, and climbing. She has sailed over 5,000 miles offshore, run a Boston Marathon qualifying time, and completed a sponsored winter thru-hike of Vermont’s Long Trail.