Laura Zaerraus modern

Laura Zaerr (* July 1960) is an American harpist and composer.

Life

Laura Zaerr began playing the harp at the age of ten. She studied at the university of Oregon under the direction of Sally Maxwell where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in music performance and composition. She was a three-time recipient of the Ruth Lorraine Close award for musical studies. In 1981-82 she studied harp in Paris with Bertille Fournier. She took her master’s degree in harp performance at the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Eileen Malone. While at Eastman she recorded with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Benita Valente, and James Galway.

In addition to harp performance, Laura studied composition at the University of Oregon with Derek Healey. Her compositions include works for string quartet, woodwind quintet, choir, and most recently two suites for Celtic harp and orchestra, Celtic Concerto and Appalachian Concerto. Laura blends her strong classical background with her love of Celtic harp music to achieve a dazzling showcase for the popular Celtic harp.

Laura Zaerr’s artistic interests extend beyond classical music. She has collaborated with her sister Linda Marie, who is a medievalist, in storytelling. Their consort Psallite presents a collage of poetry, drama, and music from the Middle Ages. Their work can be seen and heard on a video of The Weddyng of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnel funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a video performance of Sir Orfeo funded by the Chaucer Studio.

Laura served as harp instructor at the University of Oregon 2000-2018. She has been a guest teacher for harp festivals and workshops nationwide, as well as organizing concerts and workshops locally. As well as her regular classical work with the Eugene Opera and ballet orchestras, Laura plays in the local pop / folk band Compass Rose.

Source Laura Zaerr: https://laurazaerr.com/