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Laura grew up on a farm in Northern California. Raised in a musical family, Laura began learning to play the piano through her mother’s teaching at the age of 4 years old. At age 8 she was composing her first compositions and by the time she was 18 she had composed 6 feature length musicals. Laura was the founder of a children’s musical theater company called “Star Company” through which she composed and directed her ow Laura’s work has been included in film scores, and other media soundtrack. She was a featured artist in a program produced by Stanley Clarke called Music Across America. Laura has released 4 CD’s of her original New Age music. Kathy Parsons of Solo Piano Publications writes: "A strong and passionate pianist, Laura Sullivan brings a distinctive new voice to contemporary piano." Her latest album, Feast of Joy and Love was released in March 2007 and features Laura’s vocal debut recording. Her forthcoming album, Coming Home, will be released in October 2008. This album includes songs that Laura has loved her entire life. Although her style is one of a kind, Laura’s piano playing has been compared to that of George Winston, Suzanne Ciani and Wayne Gratz. Laura is a member of the piano artist collective “Whisperings” founded by composer, pianist and radio programmer, David Nevue. This artist community promotes it’s collective through its own radio station and regional concert tours. Laura’s appreciation for our environment blossomed in the wilderness setting where she grew up and continues to influence and inspire her compositions to this day. Her 2003 release, Pianoscapes for the Trails of North America, included a song inspired by each of the National Scenic Trails, such as the Appalachian, Continental Divide and the Pacific Crest. RJ Lannan of the New Age Reporter writes of this release: “Laura Sullivan’s music shimmers with an effervescent vitality.” In the spirit of this effort, included within each CD jewel case are tree seeds of the Blue Spruce which the listeners can plant in Laura’s unique program called “Buy a CD & Plant a Tree.” Laura’s travel, love of the outdoors and spiritual appreciation influenced the creation of her latest album, Mystical America. Each piece is Laura’s original composition, except an arrangement of L.V. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Inspired by America’s most magical and sacred sites, this album consists of four song collections: Magical Creations, Sacred Symbols, Mysterious Messages and Nature’s Splendor. Produced by renowned artist Chris Camozzi, (appearing with artists Jeff Lorber, Michael Bolton, Maria Carey, Barbara Streisand and many others) who's electric and acoustic guitar skills also embellish the album. Also featured are Mary Pitchford on violin, Diane Grubbe on contemporary and wooden flute and Scott Fuller's orchestral strings. Original cover art was created exclusively for the album by artist, Johanna Pieterman. Mystical America follows in the tradition of Laura’s previous release with the inclusion of an added treat. Enclosed within each CD jewel case is fresh, hand-made desert sage incense in honor of the ancient ritual tradition of burning sage as a spiritual blessing of purification, peace and harmony. Laura is passionate about studying Non Violent Communication, also called Compassionate Communication, and strives to live NVC as a spiritual path. Non Violent Communication was developed by Marshall Rosenberg and is based on the principles of non-violence taught by Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa, an important part of Buddhism. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in music from CSU Chico where she studied with pianist, Dr. Robert Bowman. She has a master’s in Transitional Psychology through the School of Education at the University of San Francisco, with further graduate studies at the New School for Social Research in New York City. Laura makes her home in the beautiful Bay Area of California. She loves spending time with her family, cooking and taking long walks. She is the daughter of late author, Carol Purdy. |
© 2007 Sentient Spirit Records
