School of Music, Theatre
and Dance
Varner Hall, Room 207
371 Varner Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4485
(location map)
Academic Office: (248) 370-2030
Box Office: (248) 370-3013
Fax: (248) 370-2041
[email protected]
Lecturer, Music
Vocal Coach
Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre
[email protected]
Laura Blanchard is an adjunct faculty member and teaches Musicianship for Musical Theatre Majors I & II. She is also a vocal coach and accompanist for musical theatre, where she has been teaching since 2017. Laura earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Education (Vocal Emphasis) and Music Therapy from Ohio University (Athens, OH) where she studied both voice and piano. After moving to Michigan, she studied at Oakland University with John-Paul White and Edith Diggory and earned a master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy.
Laura began her career teaching choir and general music for Holly Area Schools where she grew the choir program and directed and music directed many musicals. After having her two daughters, Laura started Blanchard Music Studio, where she taught Kindermusik classes to children ages 0-7 and voice and piano lessons to all ages. She also served as the piano accompanist for Holly High School and Holly Middle School for 15 years. Her family relocated to Tokyo, Japan for two years for her husband’s job, which was an incredible cultural experience and Laura was fortunate to spend a little time as a substitute music teacher at The American School in Japan.
In addition to her duties at Oakland University, Laura has been the music director at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Fenton for over 25 years. Laura has a history of performing in shows and hopes to get back on the stage soon. Some of her favorite roles are Maria in The Sound of Music, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Laura also performed in many dinner theater productions including The Taffetas and GI Jukebox. She also serves as a music director and piano/keyboard player for shows in the area and performs as both a vocalist and pianist.
Laura is married to Rob, who is an automotive engineer and they have two daughters who make them very proud! Molly is an engineering student and Julia is finishing high school and plans to pursue a degree in songwriting in college.