
Amy Laurenson Duo
Amy Laurenson is a pianist from the Shetland Isles, currently based in Glasgow.
Rooted in the traditional music of Shetland, Amy explores the music of her homeland alongside traditional and folk music from Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia. Growing up surrounded by classical music, she has developed a style which ebbs and flows between traditional, classical, and jazz influence. This diversity of influences has resulted in a vision which challenges the role of the piano as a solo instrument in traditional music.
“Unique and highly innovative, Amy takes her audience on a storytelling, emotional journey. Her use of expression and colour create spellbinding moments of utter beauty... our tradition is in safe hands” MARIE FIELDING
Amy was recently named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023 at Celtic Connections and has since toured throughout the UK with her band, appearing at the likes of Shetland Folk Festival, Edinburgh TradFest, Cambridge Folk Festival and the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards. Amy performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Glasgows City Halls in celebration of the BBC’s Burns Night 2024.
Her highly anticipated debut album Strands (released 2nd February 2024), reflects on her traditional Shetland roots and how this has grown to be intertwined with threads of contemporary influence and ideas. Recorded at Mareel, Shetland, the album is a homage to her island upbringing.
“Strands, is nine spellbinding tracks of utter joy”
***** FOLKWALES
Having studied both classical and traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Amy recently graduated with a first class BMus Honours degree in June 2022. Alongside performing with Tern (Danny Kyle Open Stage 2023 winners), LÉDA (RTE Album of the Week), and Miguel Girão (with Live Music Now Scotland), Amy is a Lecturer in Piano and Traditional Music at RCS Juniors and has previously taught with Feis Rois & Shetland Arts’ Folk Frenzy.