A statement from the Vermont Arts Council said that Laredo was "recognized for his contributions to Vermont's artistic landscape. As music director and conductor of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra since 1999, Mr. Laredo has brought outstanding classical music to the Green Mountains. Along with his wife, Sharon Robinson, Mr. Laredo has served as artistic advisor to the Brattleboro Music Center, and has been a principal figure in the Marlboro Music Festival."

Laredo is also a professor at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music and a renowned international conductor, soloist, recitalist and chamber musician.

The Vermont Arts Council was established in 1964 and disburses more than $1 million in state, federal and private funds to Vermont arts organizations each year. It is the nation's only state arts agency that is also an independent, non-profit membership organization.