Laura Vaughan
Melbourne-based viola da gamba specialist Laura Vaughan is a dynamic and well-recognised member of the early music movement in Australia.
Following her studies with Miriam Morris at Melbourne University and with Wieland Kuijken and Philippe Pierlot at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, she has established an active performing career encompassing a wide range of solo and chamber repertoire across Australasia.
Passionate about the unique sound world of the viol, Laura is committed to bringing its exquisite and addictive repertoire to audiences wherever she can. She teaches at Melbourne University and is also one of the few exponents of the lirone.
Laura has a particular love of 17th century repertoire and records regularly for ABC Classic FM as a soloist and chamber musician, also appearing on numerous CD recordings. She performs with most major early music ensembles within Australia, including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Orchestra of the Antipodes, Adelaide Baroque, Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Victoria, Song Company, Accademia Arcadia and is a founding member of the multiple ARIA award nominated trio Latitude 37.
Performing as Josie and the Emeralds
Josie and the Emeralds is a Sydney early-music ensemble founded in 2011, uniting soprano with viol consort in Renaissance song and new Australian writing for the viol.
The Emerald Phoenix
In 2014 Tall Poppies released The Emerald Leopard (TP233), with Brooke Green’s music for soprano and viols. The Emerald Phoenix presents her recent works for soprano, viols and theorbo, featuring Josie Ryan and bass violist Laura Vaughan.
The Emerald Leopard
Josie and the Emeralds pair acclaimed early-music soprano Josie Ryan with some of Australia’s finest viol players, the Emerald City Viols. Founded in 2011, the group is known for sophisticated performances and inventive programmes of Renaissance and contemporary works, including compositions and arrangements by director Brooke Green.