Noted for “genre-defying” performances with “distinct sonic identity” and “ethereal refinement” (Gramophone Magazine/Musical America), Dr. Lauren Spaulding captivates international audiences as a versatile chamber musician, modern & historical performer, enthusiastic educator, and experimental viola soloist, highlighted on the GRAMMY-winning album Shapes in Collective Space. Spaulding is a member of both the Thalea String Quartet, 24’–25’ ensemble in residence at the University of Toronto, and Tallā Rouge Duo, the 23’–24’ ensemble in residence at Harvard University’s esteemed Dumbarton Oaks.
As a performer Spaulding has toured internationally in over 20 countries, sharing chamber concerts, recitals, and solo performances with acclaimed artists such as the St. Lawrence Quartet, Carolin Widmann, Laurence Lesser, Jorja Fleezanis, Attacca Quartet, Brentano Quartet. Lauren collaborates regularly with wonderful colleagues from many of the world’s leading ensembles and orchestras, including the London Haydn Quartet, Tafelmusik, the Toronto Symphony, Orpheus, Pro Arte Quartet, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Knights, A Far Cry, and Imani Winds. Lauren has also appeared in broadcast and television productions hosted by the BBC, Netflix, NPR Live Sessions, and has been featured as Album of the Week on the CBC.
In 2020 Lauren Spaulding co-founded the New York-based ensemble Tallā Rouge, a “dynamic and diverse” viola duo with “killer technique, and enough heart to make it all matter” (I Care if You Listen). Their GRAMMY–winning debut album of new commissions, Shapes in Collective Space, reached #2 of the Classical Billboard Charts and was released under Bright Shiny Things in 2024 with producer Elaine Martone — thanks to the support of Harvard University. Tallā Rouge has performed at prestigious chamber music venues such as Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and as featured artists at the Chamber Music America and the International Viola Society conference. Formed at The Juilliard School under the mentorship of Roger Tapping, Tallā Rouge holds the recognition as top-prize winners at the International Anton Rubinstein Competition and the Francis Walton Competition.
As a member of the Thalea String Quartet, top-prize winners of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Spaulding has shared the stage with a diverse range of inspiring artists, including Michelle Cann, Mark Fewer, Stewart Goodyear, Sterling Elliott, Lara Downes, Joseph Conyers, and the Brentano Quartet. During her time with the ensemble, the quartet received the 2021 Ann Divine Educator Award from the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and has served as the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Lakes Area Music Festival, the University of Maryland, the Fischoff Summer Chamber Intensive, the University of Toronto, and Interlochen Arts Camp.
As a passionate educator, Lauren received her Doctorate from the University of Maryland while concurrently on the chamber music faculty, and has taught at the University of Toronto as the James D. Stewart Quartet in Residence. Lauren has been a juror of the International Composer Competition hosted by composer’s voice and has given numerous masterclasses, lectures, and workshops for major institutions globally such as the Oberlin Conservatory, Cornell University, Harvard University, Interlochen Arts Academy, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Lauren offers virtual education options for emerging young artists through ToneBase as a Viola Mentor and Career Coach.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Spaulding had a rich non-musical childhood, starting viola lessons at the age of 15. Initially attending Trinity University for Neuroscience, Spaulding discovered her love for chamber music while attending her first music festival at the age of 22. Inspired by the prospect of a career in chamber music, Spaulding transferred to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where she holds a Bachelor of Music, and later received a Masters of Music from the University of Colorado with the Takács Quartet, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland where she was concurrently the Quartet in Residence with Thalea String Quartet. Among her formative mentors are world-renowned musicians such as Peter Slowik, Katherine Murdock, Marilyn McDonald, the Takács Quartet, Karen Ritcher, and both Kirsten Docter & Erika Eckert of the Cavani Quartet. Lauren received further personal artistic guidance from luminaries like Roger Tapping, Don Weilerstein, Nobuko Imai, the Doric Quartet, Kenneth Slowik, Laurence Lesser, Stephen Rose, Nancy Zhou, William Fedkenheuer, and the London-Haydn Quartet.
Driven by the belief that "good music is good music," Spaulding harnesses her passion for genre-bending performances to challenge societal perceptions of classical music. Having personally navigated the hurdles of both severe learning disabilities and her queer identity during her formative years, Spaulding possesses a deep-seated commitment to inspiring young neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ musicians to pursue their artistic aspirations. In her work with the Thalea String Quartet, Lauren has contributed to the development of family-friendly, accessible, and inclusive concert experiences tailored for neurodiverse and disabled audiences, in partnership with Xenia Concerts (Toronto, ON) and Azure Concerts (Baltimore, MD).
Lauren currently is the Toronto lead for the Canadian Viola Society, and has worked with Kim Kashkashian and her Boston team as a Co-Chapter head for 'Music for Food,' an initiative that combats food insecurity by transforming music into nourishing meals (www.musicforfood.net). Spaulding's unwavering dedication to social advocacy through music earned her the esteemed privilege of performing at the White House in 2012. As a "Champion of Change," she was recognized by President Barack Obama for her contributions in using music as a catalyst for positive social transformation.
When Lauren isn’t on an airplane (playing Pokémon), in rehearsal, or performing she loves hanging in the sun, exploring new cities, and learning new skills! Always full of exciting projects, Lauren is often unable to sit idle during the day, but you can sometimes find her relaxing in the evenings while cuddling with her cat Pyrite, drinking coffee, and watching scary movies! 👻
