Violinist Laurel Gagnon’s interpretations praised for their “naturalness that [is] both disarming and distinctive” (The Straits Times, Singapore). Performing as a soloist and chamber musician, she is currently based in New York City and is a fellow of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect program for the 2025–2027 seasons. Equally at home performing traditional repertoire and premiering new works, she especially enjoys exploring works written by women of previous centuries.
Gagnon recently won third prize at the 2026 Concours internationale musicale de Montréal, first prize at the 2025 Dallas International Violin Competition, and was previously awarded top prizes at the Elmar Oliveira and Singapore International Violin Competitions. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Flagey in Brussels, Singapore’s Victoria Concert Hall, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
As a chamber musician, Laurel is the founding violinist of Vinola Trio, a clarinet-violin-piano ensemble with an emphasis on contemporary repertoire. The trio received grand prize at the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition; upcoming season engagements include performances at Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts in Chicago, and a residency at the Avaloch Farms Music Institute for an interdisciplinary project collaborating with digital artist Lee Oliver.
Passionate about engaging with local communities, Laurel worked extensively with Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement, where she collaborated with community partners to present public performances in libraries, schools, and senior care centers. A teaching artist with Yale’s Music in Schools Initiative, also participated in Indiana University’s Fairview Violin Project, introducing violin to elementary students.
A graduate of the Yale School of Music under the mentorship of Augustin Hadelich, she previously studied with Ben Sayevich and Mauricio Fuks.
Laurel performs on an 1809 Lupot violin, generously on loan from Canimex Inc., Drummondville, Québec, Canada.
