Melbourne-based viola da gamba specialist Laura Vaughan is a dynamic and well-recognised member of the early music movement in Australia.  Following studies with Miriam Morris at the University of Melbourne and Wieland Kuijken and Philippe Pierlot at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, she has established an active performing career as a versatile musician, encompassing a wide range of solo and chamber repertoire on viola da gamba, violone, lirone and baryton across Australasia.  As well as a deep and abiding interest in historical performance practice of music involving viols from the 16th to mid 18th centuries, she also fosters new compositions for these venerable instruments from the past.  Passionate about the unique sound world of the viol, Laura is committed to bringing this exquisite repertoire to audiences around the world.

Laura can be heard regularly on ABC Classic FM as a soloist and chamber musician and appears on numerous CD recordings, including solo recordings on the Move and Paladino labels.  In addition to solo performances, she works regularly with many Australian early music ensembles including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Orchestra of the Antipodes, Genesis Baroque, Van Diemen’s Band, Adelaide Baroque, Accademia Arcadia and Consortium, and is a founding member of the multiple ARIA award nominated trio Latitude 37 and the Gryphon Baryton Trio.  Laura has appeared with the Tasmanian, Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia, and teaches at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
When not playing the viol, Laura can usually be found hanging out with her two children, her Tibetan Spaniels Abelard and Heloise, and a good Melbourne coffee.