LAURIE SYER is a graduate of the University of Calgary and the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut. Her principal teachers were Lise Elson, Charles Treger, and Syoko Aki. While a student, she was a finalist in the Canadian Music Competition, and grand prize winner at the Spokane Music Festival. Laurie Syer taught and performed in the Maritimes and the eastern U.S. for several years. On her return to Calgary she joined the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, where she remained for nine seasons. She is a founding member of the popular Calgary string quartet ‘Allegra’. Laurie has performed extensively with a number of chamber music ensembles including The Lyric Chamber Players, Springbank Trio, New Works Calgary ensemble and as a duo with her husband, Jamie Syer. The Syer duo has performed in Scotland, Ireland, England, Denmark, Hungary, and France. Laurie lives and teaches near Sundre, Alberta, where she maintains a large class of violin and viola students of all ages. She has also taught and performed at Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Laurie is Artistic Co-Director of “Strings & Keys”, an annual summer music program for pianists and string players which, since 1995, has attracted students and teachers from across Canada.