Following a range of childhood musical experiences, Laurel asked for violin lessons at nine and immediately took flight. Since 1998, the internationally touring artist, educator, composer, podcaster, and writer has enjoyed performing, teaching, and studio recording across a variety of genres with ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to bands and singer-songwriters.

Dubbed "The Hook...
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Following a range of childhood musical experiences, Laurel asked for violin lessons at nine and immediately took flight. Since 1998, the internationally touring artist, educator, composer, podcaster, and writer has enjoyed performing, teaching, and studio recording across a variety of genres with ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to bands and singer-songwriters.

Dubbed "The Hookmeister” by one San Francisco Bay Area recording engineer, Laurel's knack for framing the tone of a track or album and creating infectious melodies has saved more than one client’s song from the chopping block. Classically trained with the ability to convey complex emotion through her instruments, yet also possessing an exceptional ear and the ability to read chord charts, improvise, arrange, and "fiddle" in a range of genres, Laurel presents an attractive package for songwriters and bands looking to add string parts to an album or song. Having recorded lead and backing violin, viola, cello, as well as both lead and harmony vocals, on dozens of albums since the early 2000s, she is frequently sought for her ability to add depth, color, and emotion to all types of music.

Canada’s premier music magazine, Penguin’s Eggs, recognized Laurel as “a terrific violinist and accompanist” with a “judicious” approach and “fascinating undertones and range.” Cashbox Magazine noted her "deft, elegant violin."

With a rich and expressive tone and an interpretive style that can both rock a solo or add backup texture or groove, Laurel has performed on Pop, Folk, Rock, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Celtic, Latin, Gypsy, Jazz, Ragtime, and Cabaret style tracks.

Laurel works quickly in the recording studio. Her record to date is 9 songs in 3 hours. However, projects come with differing levels of complexity. If string parts are already composed, Laurel can easily read the sheet music and might average 1-3 songs an hour for such sessions. In situations where she needs to use her interpretive skills to bring a client’s rough sketches to life, or to create string arrangements completely from scratch, Laurel comes with the patience and professionalism to accept and translate feedback, and the stamina to realize her clients' vision in the studio - a creative process that often evolves through reflection, feeling, and listening.
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