Sister Laura Lampe

(Formerly Sister Mary Laudesia)

(1899 - 1996)

Sister Laura worked at Alverno College from 1941-1991.

Her affiliation with Alverno began as an instructor of voice and choral activities in 1941. Sister Laura taught
at Alverno College from 1941 to 1970, chairing the Vocal Department from 1958 to 1970. In May of 1971, she was
awarded the title Professor Emeritus of Voice and Choral Activities at Alverno.

She founded and conducted the Alverno Chorus, Society Singers and the Madrigal Singers touring with the
groups across the United States and Europe. She was also a private voice teacher to hundreds of elementary, high
school and college students.

In 1960, Sister Laura created the Society of Fine Arts (SOFA) which later became Alverno Presents. As the moving force
behind SOFA, Sister Laura was instrumental in raising the level of artistic theatre in the Milwaukee community. She brought
to Milwaukee performers such as the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Merce Cunningham, Jose Limon, Joshua Bell, Odetta,
and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to name a few.

  Sister Laura with Jose Greco from Ballet Folklorico Mexicano in 1987.

Sister Laura Lampe died on December 11, 1996.

Her obituary appeared in the Winter 1997 issue of Alverno Magazine.

Sister Laura was was featured as a "Significant Woman of the Week:"

Significant Woman of the Week--Sr.Laura Lampe.pdf

Lampe Recital Hall in Alphonsa Hall was named to honor her memory. Here is an excerpt from the Archives exhibit,  

What's in a Name? The Names and Places of Alverno College:  Lampe Recital Hall.pdf

Here is a link to the original exhibit, What's in a Name? The Names and Places of Alverno College