Laurel Black is a percussionist and collaborative pianist finding her passion for playing and movement joyfully colliding in research, writing, performance and commissions. Laurel is a regular co-host of the @ percussion podcast, which offers a historical, contemporary, and philosophical look at being a musician in today’s world. Her research-based blog series Marimba Body has gained steady readership, further sharing the advantages of physical understanding to players all over the world. 

A former student of Nancy Zeltsman, Laurel is a founding member of Balletik Duo, with violinist Natalie Calma; Turning Point, with percussionist Matt Sharrock; and Caritas Players, a non-profit theater company. Her love of the idea of “people helping people,” combined with the experience of serving on the Board of Directors of East Coast Contemporary Ensemble, a 501c3 non-profit organization, has led her to begin her own organization – One for WON – which will focus on supporting players that wish to take art music out of the university or concert hall and into the “real world” of their communities. The organization should launch officially in early 2016.

From 2012-2015 Laurel served on the faculty at Concord University as an Adjunct Professor of Music and the Staff Accompanist, a position that allowed her to teach a variety of courses and even create her own, called Movement for Musicians. In addition to music, Laurel loves to sew, crochet, knit, read, and write.

Laurel is a life-long student of Alexander Technique, Laban Movement, and yoga. Originally from Knoxville, TN, she now lives in Harrisonburg, VA with her husband, Casey Cangelosi, and their cat, Loo.

MM: The Boston Conservatory | BM, Minor in Theatre: The University of Tennessee

Blog: laurelblackmusic.blogspot.com | YouTube channels: Laurel Black, @ percussion, Balletik Duo