Assistant Professor of Music
Chair, Department of Music
Class Piano, Music Theory, and Ear Training

Laurel Larsen, Assistant Professor of music at Western Connecticut State University, teaches class piano, music theory, and ear training.  Originally from Connecticut, Dr. Larsen lived in the South for nineteen years before moving back to the state in 2014.  Most recently, she spent eleven years teaching piano and music theory at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, and serving as the organist and choir director at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Chapin, South Carolina.  Dr. Larsen received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music studying with Sanford Margolis, and her Master of Music degree in piano performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, studying with Brian Connelly.  Dr. Larsen has also completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in piano pedagogy at the University of South Carolina where she studied piano with Dr. Charles Fugo, piano pedagogy with Dr. Scott Price, and music theory pedagogy with Dr. Dorothy Payne. Dr. Larsen has worked as a collaborative pianist for many years, with accompanying positions and assistantships at the Oberlin Conservatory, the Shepherd School of Music, Encore Music Camp, the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, the Performing Arts Institute of Pennsylvania, Newberry College, and the University of South Carolina. Dr. Larsen’s other professional activities include serving as clinician for events such as the South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference in February, 2007 and 2011, adjudicating student piano competitions, and serving as a Reader for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination.  Dr. Larsen lives in New Milford with her husband Jens, a professional trumpet player, and their children, Gabe and Margot.

Contact larsenl@wcsu.educreate new email