Violinist Laurel Gagnon presents a fresh authentic voice. Her interpretations “sing with a naturalness that [is] both disarming and distinctive” (The Straits Times). Performing as a soloist and chamber musician, she has been heralded for her “nimble command, centered double stops and graceful, springy portamento” (Kansas City Star).
Ms. Gagnon was awarded 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, she 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.
Entering the professional world at the age of fifteen, Laurel Gagnon won her first blind audition for the Symphony New Hampshire substitute list. Moving to Kansas City in 2013, she substituted with the Kansas City Symphony for five years. She also served as concertmaster of the ICM Chamber Orchestra at Park University. As a chamber musician, Gagnon has collaborated with Shmuel Ashkenasi and performed in faculty-student chamber recitals.
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 2019, she moved to Bloomington, Indiana, to study with Mauricio Fuks at the Jacobs School of Music; she started her Artist Diploma studies in 2021.
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.
