Violinist Laurel Gagnon’s interpretations “sing with a naturalness that [is] both disarming and distinctive” (The Straits Times, Singapore, Singapore). Performing as a soloist and chamber musician, she currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut.
Ms. Gagnon was awarded third prize at the 2023 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition, fourth prize at the 2018 Singapore International Violin Competition and in 2019, was invited to perform in the live rounds of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels.
As a soloist, Laurel has performed at Flagey in Brussels, Singapore’s Victoria Concert Hall, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. She has appeared three times as soloist with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, performing Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” with Israel Philharmonic concertmaster David Radzynski and other students of Ben Sayevich. Gagnon has performed several times on Kansas Public Radio, been featured on Kansas Community Radio, and appeared in performance on KSHB TV's "KC Live” show and Fox4.
A passionate chamber musician, her quartet was selected as the Kuttner Quartet in Residence at Indiana University in 2022. Gagnon is also a founding member of Vinola Trio, an ensemble consisting of clarinet, violin, and piano, curating programs of living composers. In 2023, Vinola Trio was a semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and attended Avaloch Farm Music Institute for a summer residency.
Laurel has worked extensively with Indiana University's Center for Rural Engagement, bringing music into collaborative community spaces. Ms. Gagnon also taught with Dr. Brenda Brenner's "Fairview Project," a project providing daily violin classes at a low-income area elementary school, and has enjoyed collaborating with Bloomington's "My Sister’s Closet" for community events.
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Junshi Yang Photography
Ms. Gagnon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and her Masters of Music at The International Center for Music at Park University, studying with Ben Sayevich. In 2023, she earned her Artist Diploma studying with Mauricio Fuks at the Jacobs School of Music; she will continue her studies at the Yale School of Music under the guidance of Augustin Hadelich.
Being told she was too young to play flute, Ms. Gagnon instead picked up the violin at the age of three and never looked back. She and her brothers spent many hours of their childhood arguing and performing in a family string quartet. When not drinking coffee, she can be found exploring the nearest forest trail.
Laurel performs on an 1809 Lupot courtesy of Canimex Inc, Drummondville (Quebec), Canada.
Junshi Yang Photography