Contact Laura at LauraATfiddledance.net

Laura is well known for a spontaneous and wildly fun fiddling style that powers a danceable groove while staying solidly grounded in the New England contra dance tradition. An engaging and imaginative musician, Laura delights dancers with her jazz-inspired improvisations, drawing on a repertoire of old and new tunes from the Northern, Southern, Celtic and Swing traditions. 

 

Over the last 20 years, Laura has played with many of the best dance musicians in the country and is widely respected for her ability to add sparkle and drive to any musical combination. 

Laura is particularly gifted at playing “close to the floor” - choosing tunes that support the figures of the dance - and creating a sense of flow and dynamic energy through an evening of dance. 

 

Laura regularly plays weekly dances and special dance events with the contra dance bands The Skytones,

Land of Sky, The Goosebone Prophets, Fly By Night, The Wilson Allstars and Laura and the Lava Lamps.  She also conducts workshops in dance fiddling and dance ensemble playing, has published articles on playing for contra dances and is an accomplished band leader. Laura is an experienced fiddle teacher, specializing in teaching fiddle to adult beginners and recovering classical violinists.  Dancers are often surprised to learn that Laura is a fine singer too!  She particularly enjoys singing swing, southern gospel and just about anything acapella.

 

Laura released a contra dance recording, Primordial Groove, with Laura and the Lava Lamps in the fall of 2001.

 

 

All photos by MJ Taylor unless otherwise credited.  Thanks, MJ!