Laurel Thomsen

American genre-bending violinist, composer, and  respected educator, Laurel Thomsen, has released a handful of albums and performed classically and for a variety of bands and artists since 1998. Since 2013 she has been touring over 150 dates a year throughout the North America as the "musically diverse and lyrically refreshing" Roots-Folk duo Dan Frechette & Laurel Thomsen.

With a rich and  expressive violin tone and an interpretive style that can both rock a  solo or add backup texture and groove, Laurel is frequently sought for  her ability to add depth and emotion to diverse styles of music. Penguin Eggs Magazine called Laurel “a terrific violinist and accompanist".

Laurel is passionate about not only sharing music on stage, but helping others along on their musical path. Her multi-media guides to  string playing technique - Improve Your Bowing Technique and Improve Your Violin and Viola Technique, available through String Letter Publishing, have become trusted educational supplements for violin, viola, and fiddle students around the world. Also a longtime Strings magazine contributor and the creator and host of iTunes’ popular Violin Geek Podcast, since 1996 Laurel has  dedicated herself to the success of hundreds of violin, viola, and  fiddle students as a private lessons and workshop instructor. Recognized for her  abilities in troubleshooting challenges and inspiring dedicated students  of all ages, since 2009, as the New York Times reported, Laurel has  also been an innovator in the world of teaching online via Skype.