Laura Stokes is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore MD, studying with Dr. Ruth K. Inglefield. Laura was awarded the Fanny B. Thalheimer Memorial Scholarship and the Eugene Scheffres and Richard E. Hartt Scholarship Fund to cover studies at Peabody.
She has been playing harp since the age of 8 having studied both here in the USA and in Wales. At Peabody Laura has played in the Peabody Symphony, Concert Orchestras and has played principal harp in the acclaimed Peabody Wind Ensemble conducted by Harlan Parker. She can be heard on their recording of Johan De Meij's Lord of the Rings and Planet Earth Symphonies which will be released on the Naxos label later this year.
In April 2010 Laura was selected to attend the Wales International Harp Festival in Caernarfon Wales where she participated in Master Classes with Catrin Finch (Royal Harpist) and Isabelle Perrin (Paris Conservatoire).
As well as playing harp Laura is a talented actress and singer. A regular to the Charlottesville, VA stages, she has been performing since the age of three. Favorite roles include Annie in Annie, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Magenta in the Rocky Horror Show, Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown and Aida in Elton John's Aida. Laura has also played harp for many theatrical productions including A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, The Fanatasticks and The Sound of Music. This summer Laura will be playing for The Heritage Theater Festival's My Fair Lady.
Upon completing her degree Laura hopes to perform and play as a pit musician for opera and musical theater. Her involvement with the HarpAdventures Outreach program at Peabody has given her a love for teaching and she hopes to one day have her own harp studio. For further information see www.laurastokesharp.com.