Laura Boosinger is a consummate folk musician and entertainer whose career has spanned nearly two decades of concert performances, workshops and residencies throughout the eastern United States. Having graduated from Warren Wilson College (Swannanoa, NC) with a degree in traditional music and old-time banjo, Laura has shared her knowledge and love of the music and culture of the southern region with audiences ranging from seniors to pre-schoolers, always with the delight of her listeners.

After graduating from Warren Wilson College with a major in Banjo, old-time banjo to be exact, Laura continued to explore the traditional music of Western North Carolina playing in a variety of string bands. Her most enduring alliance was with North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner, Luke Smathers whose band spanned eight decades. Luke's band played a unique combination of old-time string band music, pop tunes from the 20's and 30's and big band favorites of the 1940's. The impact of Luke Smathers' music is explored in an article written by Laura to be published in Volume II of a journal of regional culture, "May We All Remember Well" to be released this summer. Laura's latest recording "Down the Road" is a collection of tunes learned from the Smathers' and other traditional musicians steeped in the music of the Appalachian Mountains. Laura continues to teach all ages about the importance of our North Carolina culture, presenting shaped-note workshops, school residencies and banjo classes to adults who spend their summer vacation with other like-minded enthusiasts of old-time music.