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 was invited twice to perform in the live rounds of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, in both 2019 and 2024.
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, she has enjoyed performances at both the Halcyon Chamber Music and Mimir Chamber Music Festivals; her string quartet was also selected as the Kuttner Quartet in Residence at Indiana University in 2022. Gagnon is a founding member of Vinola Trio, an ensemble consisting of clarinet, violin, and piano, curating programs of living composers. Vinola Trio was a semifinalist of the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and a prizewinner of the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. A finalist of The American Prize Chamber Music Competition, the group has been invited twice to attend 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 has taught with Indiana University’s “Fairview Project” and the Yale School of Music’s “Music in Schools” community music project. She has enjoyed collaborating with Bloomington's "My Sister’s Closet” for
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Junshi Yang Photography
community events, and has connected with Bloomington’s MAYO Bridges Foundation to present concerts in the community and work with young student ensembles.
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 is currently continuing 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