ABOUT
Hello, thanks for visiting!
I’d love to share with you a little about me (because that’s why you’re here after all) so here goes…
At university one of my lecturers said on my first day ‘be prepared to wear many hats if you go down this path. A musician is not just a musician’. And how true he was…
Early Days
I grew up in Hampshire within a musical family (we would be the family all sing different harmony parts on long journeys to ‘When The Saints Come Marching In’) and my first instrument was of course the recorder (that classic rite of passage instrument), followed by piano, cello and then guitar and singing. I loved rocking out my cello bass parts in Primary School Orchestra to classics like ‘cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green’ and imagining I was in a girl group as me and my mates formed our band ‘The Jelly Babes’ with playground hits such as ‘As She Laid In Bed’ and ‘ Does He Love Me?’
Secondary school didn’t fail in providing opportunities for musical embarrassment I mean development and I would literally volunteer for ANY opportunity to perform on stage with classical cello pieces, popular piano chart songs plus my first attempts at songwriting with ‘Colours of Hatred’ and ‘The Monkey Stole My Banana’….what was that you say? You’ve never heard of these amazing classic songs. Trust me, they were hits!
I LOVED my college where I studied Music A -Level and BTEC and we were so spoilt with such beautiful grand pianos. I would play for hours in my breaks and after college. I then studyed for BA Hons Music Performance at Dartington College of Arts where I ‘unlearnt’ all of the music rules. It was a new world to me and I found freedom in writing my songs and developing interdisciplinary practices.
Leaving University with wide sparkly eyes I went to London (briefly) working as a session singer and cellist and trying to get discovered! That didn’t happen and I found myself drawn back to Devon and pursued a Singer -Songwriter Career writing and performing in a acoustic folk trio ‘The Laura Dugmore Band’ in many a pubs, clubs, venues and fields. Oh and one gig we got paid in noodles - fun times!
2010 saw the release of my debut EP titled "J'aime La Vie" meaning "I Like Life" which included 5 original tracks as well as the Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape featured track "Gone”. The next release following on was 'Cardigans and Woollen Things', 'Laura Loft Band Live at Birley Centre’.
Oh the early days, that makes me feel a little old thinking about how many years ago this was now but highlights included performing on BBC Radio Devon, touring in the South West including supporting Nick Harper, Polly & The Billet Doux and Ellen & the Escapades.
Life was calling so after getting married I spent time travelling with my Husband on a Songwriting Trip around Central & North America, travelling through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico & Canada culminating in a gig at the renowned Ski Resort, Whistler.
We then started a family when we returned but all of this meant life changed pace including the welcoming of a chronic illness. This created many challenges and sparked much inspiration and so I shifted from singer-songwriter-performer into the world of commissions, educational and creative projects based around wellbeing.
Music Educator
Alongside my music I started to build up my Music Educational Projects under the name of Lofts Music Shed, working as a music workshop leader on a variety of projects for young people including Young Singer Songwriter Club, Plymouth Music Zone, DAISI, South West Music School to name a few. I gained my Certificate for Music Educators and Arts Award Advisor and have worked with many schools and organisations delivering music making.
I have now been working as a Musician & Singer-Songwriter for 14 years and a Music Workshop Leader & Educator for 8 years. I have gained a wide experience of facilitating and delivering arts projects and absolutely LOVE to work with children making music and developing their creative talents and wellbeing.
Recently I have gained experience working as Music Lead & Arts Consultant at Trinity Primary School Exeter focusing on FS/KS1 and lower KS2 where I set up the Music including WCET, Choir, Collective Worship, CPD teacher training and consulted and facilitated arts projects such as Arts Week, Big Emotions Mindful Music Day and Christmas Around The World Musical Film.
Music Commissions
I create Music Commissions for Children's Music Making Projects, Music Lesson Ideas, Books & Resources and Children’s Music. I am currently working with Moonbug Entertainment as a Lyricist and enjoy writing commissions for a variety of projects such as Associate Artist Exeter Phoenix: #4TheLove project; EXE project with Tania Kovats and Beauty Unseen. I have also recored an EP 'Hush Now' based upon the challenges of becoming a parent with an invisible illness.
In 2020 I wrote and self published 'Big Emotions: Mindful Music For Little People'; a creative music wellbeing resource for EYFS/KS1 3-7yr olds. This is accompanied by an audio book, instrumental soundtrack plus a schools activity pack which includes 5 originally composed songs.
Mental Health Advocate
I’ve had my own mental health journey but ‘often difficult paths lead to beautiful destinations’ and I am loving the view.
That's why I try to be honest and open to normalise these emotions and try to show you that MUSIC MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND, well it does for me.
I am so proud of my recent work creating Music Wellbeing Resources for children with a key message of ‘It’s Ok To Have BIG Emotions’.
Thanks for reading my story and I’d love you to come on my journey with me. @lauraloftmusic
All my creative projects are now based around two things; creativity and wellbeing.
I like to work with organisaTions and charities who share the same ethos. This month I am donating
10% of every Wisdom Bundle purchase to Mental Health Foundation
10% of every Feather Bundle to Together With Music.