Biography
Job Title: Academic Manager - School of Drama
Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Actor Musician
Specialisms: Musicianship, Ensemble Performance, Actor Musicianship, Piano Performance
Born in Aberdeen in the north east of Scotland, Laura studied in Glasgow and London, specialising in piano accompaniment and collaborative performance. Initially, she continued to learn and broaden her professional skills and experience by involving herself in both performance and education sectors, playing for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and tutoring at the Junior Conservatoire of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD).
In 2008, Laura began working for the education department of Scottish Opera, regularly touring Scotland as an Animateur and collaborating with theatre practitioners, musical directors, singers, choreographers and directors. Working alongside such creatives allowed her to gain more detailed insight into the world of theatre, culminating in the role of Assistant Artistic Director of Scottish Opera’s Young Company. During this time Laura also began working as an accompanist and coach for the Drama School of the RCS, where she became increasingly involved in the adaptation of songs and arrangements for actor-musician performance, leading classes, workshops and supervising productions. After ten years with Scottish Opera Laura decided to follow her passion for innovative, multidisciplinary storytelling, and focus on her work within Music Theatre.
A committed educator, Laura coaches and tutors in a variety of settings, but continues to perform as a pianist with singers, instrumentalists, orchestras and bands. In 2017, she toured with the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of ‘The 306: Day’, and in 2018 with NOISE and Scottish band Admiral Fallow’s joint creation, ‘Navigate the Blood’. She also enjoys playing for former ‘The Arches’ club night ‘Colours Classical’, and singer-songwriter Little King.
