Biography

Laura Hazelbaker comes from a varied musical background. Being born into an environment where music was the "family business" has given her what most would call an exceptional and well-rounded education. As the daughter of two gifted and successful musicians, she was surrounded by many influences. Ms. Hazelbaker is enjoying a musical career that involves many styles and venues. The rare gift of playing by ear and improvisation in addition to her legitimate training has afforded her diverse opportunities not available to most violinists/fiddlers...not to mention her swingin' singin'! Laura was born & raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. One could say that her musical training began from day one, but formal piano lessons started during grade school. She auditioned for the Cincinnati School for the Creative & Performing Arts and it was there that she started violin instruction as she entered the seventh grade. Her gift was apparent and she became Concertmaster of the SCPA orchestra very early on. While attending SCPA, Ms.Hazelbaker became a prestigious CORBETT Scholar Award winner and a winner of the Cincinnati Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Laura also served as Concertmaster for both the Cinti Youth Symphony Orchestra & the American Youth Symphony, which represented the United States on a European Tour. By scholarship she attended the Music Academy/College of Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Between orchestral concerts and private bookings, Laura does freelance work at home and in Nashville among many other destinations. She has appeared at the Country Classic Opry in Ohio as a player/singer. Ms. Hazelbaker has toured nationally with a Christian Celtic Artist. She was invited to perform in a group opening for bluegrass legend and Grammy winner, Dr. Ralph Stanley. In the recent past she coordinated music and performed for the wedding of Viktor Krauss, bassist for Lyle Lovett and brother of Grammy winner, Alison Krauss. In November 2003 she performed in Texas with Bob Wills' legendary western swing fiddler, the incomparable Johnny Gimble. Laura leads her own western swing music group locally (The BuckeyeRoos) singing, playing and coming up with hot arrangements for the band. At present, Laura has been touring the good ol' USA as a band member for legend Ray Price & the Cherokee Cowboys. In Greater Cincinnati she has performed in many local venues including Music Hall, Cinti Art Museum, Taft Museum, Taft Theatre, Paul Brown Stadium, CCM, Xavier, NKU, and Thomas More College. Laura has performed in the Cincinnati Celtic Festival, Tallstacks Festival, Fine Arts Fund Sampler & has also worked as a musician & performer in several productions for the Cincinnati Children's Theatre, NKU Summer Dinner Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Nationally & Internationally Laura has perfomed in the USA, Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium and France. Other highlights include several appearances on The Grand Ole Opry, The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree Radio Show, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic, Buck Owens Crystal Palace, Radio City Music Hall in NYC and The Kennedy Center in Wash D.C. Most recent TV appearance is in the PBS Special "Last of the Breed".