Kevin LaRose (2024)

Principal Tuba

What are your most important educational and musical moments?
One of my most important educational and musical moments had to be when I was accepted to the Interlochen Arts Academy prior to my junior year of high school. That entire two-year experience was pivotal in my development as a musician and set a course for my life’s direction. Studying abroad in Vienna during my undergraduate work at Michigan State also turned out to be both a musically and culturally enriching life event. 

Why did you choose music?
My dad was my very first musical influence. He started me with Suzuki violin at the age of three and has supported me through two music degrees. For about the first six years of being a musician I really didn’t care for the violin, however, and my feelings changed dramatically when I switched to the cello. I soon added trumpet, saxophone, drum set, and electric bass to the mix before finding the glory of the tuba. Music has since guided most decisions in my life and has recognizably gotten me to the point at which I am currently. 

Why did you choose your instrument?
At the end of my 7th-grade school year my parents allowed me to take lessons on a new instrument during the summer. I asked my band director, Mrs. Fourn, if I could borrow a tuba and she said “Sure, if you play it in band next year.” The tuba has transformed my life more than any inanimate object and I owe so much of that joy to Mrs. Fourn. 

What are you currently doing?
Currently, I am freelancing and teaching lessons on tuba, euphonium, trombone, trumpet, bass, guitar, ukulele, piano, saxophone, and flute at a variety of music schools in the Traverse City area. My most active performance ensembles include StoneFolk, Song of the Lakes, the Northern LOWER Brass Quartet, and LaRose, a duo with my wife.  

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Sierra, and I have a 12-year-old son named Isaac and just welcomed our daughter, Amelia, on February 9th of this year. We also live with Curly, the dog, and Houdini, the cat.

Any non-musical interests or hobbies?
I don’t really have many interests outside of music but I do enjoy taking our dog, Curly, for a walk or hike everyday. I also have a passion for hunting flies at home depending on the season and have accumulated a veritable assortment of effective instruments for the task. At the moment, I am also learning a lot about babies as I’ve had no previous experience with them.