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Listen "Ep. 9/28/2028 - BGE presents: The VOICE's Lauren Anderson "
Episode Synopsis
This soulful rocker, originally from Chicago, has had a passion for singing throughout her entire life. Growing up in a household that was rich in music, her influences were widely varied from artists such as Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, The Pointer Sisters, Eva Cassidy, Etta James, Joss Stone, Kelly Clarkson, and many more.
Despite these modern musical influences, Lauren was classically trained throughout most of her early life. She began classical piano lessons at the age of 8, was an active member of several choirs and began taking classical voice lessons when she began high school. She eventually took her love of singing to the Quad Cities and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis on voice at Augustana College. During her college years she spent a summer living in Novafeltria, Italy, learning the language and touring and studying opera. Initially she planned on becoming an opera singer, but quickly realized that rock and soul music were more her style.
Having listened to those around her, telling her that music and the arts were difficult fields to have a career in, Lauren followed the safe path in life, making sure she had a "back-up" plan while working on her music and performing. This led her to The University of Kansas to complete her Masters degree in music therapy. During her masters, she spent time training as a therapist in jails, schools and hospice. In order to pay for school, while working on her masters, she worked full time as a preschool teacher and as a caregiver for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. After she graduated, she completed her internship on Whidbey Island in Washington State, where she practiced music therapy in the Whidbey General Hospital. After her internship, she moved back to Kansas City where she worked for several years as a music therapist on a pediatric unit and at a school for at-risk youth in Kansas City. While working on the pediatric unit, she completed her masters degree with a thesis and research study on the use of music therapy to improve respiratory function and quality of life with children with Cystic Fibrosis.
After officially completing her masters in 2012, Lauren’s love of singing and songwriting was still alive and burning inside her. She began performing solo gigs around the greater Kansas City area and eventually put together a full band. Right after she began performing more regularly, she developed a blood clot in her left arm and was soon diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet
Despite these modern musical influences, Lauren was classically trained throughout most of her early life. She began classical piano lessons at the age of 8, was an active member of several choirs and began taking classical voice lessons when she began high school. She eventually took her love of singing to the Quad Cities and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis on voice at Augustana College. During her college years she spent a summer living in Novafeltria, Italy, learning the language and touring and studying opera. Initially she planned on becoming an opera singer, but quickly realized that rock and soul music were more her style.
Having listened to those around her, telling her that music and the arts were difficult fields to have a career in, Lauren followed the safe path in life, making sure she had a "back-up" plan while working on her music and performing. This led her to The University of Kansas to complete her Masters degree in music therapy. During her masters, she spent time training as a therapist in jails, schools and hospice. In order to pay for school, while working on her masters, she worked full time as a preschool teacher and as a caregiver for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. After she graduated, she completed her internship on Whidbey Island in Washington State, where she practiced music therapy in the Whidbey General Hospital. After her internship, she moved back to Kansas City where she worked for several years as a music therapist on a pediatric unit and at a school for at-risk youth in Kansas City. While working on the pediatric unit, she completed her masters degree with a thesis and research study on the use of music therapy to improve respiratory function and quality of life with children with Cystic Fibrosis.
After officially completing her masters in 2012, Lauren’s love of singing and songwriting was still alive and burning inside her. She began performing solo gigs around the greater Kansas City area and eventually put together a full band. Right after she began performing more regularly, she developed a blood clot in her left arm and was soon diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet
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