Lauren Pierce is one of those generational instrumentalists with not only the technique necessary to excel on her instrument, but with a flair and presentation that amazes everyone who watches her musically navigate on the double bass. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Lauren began her musical studies at the age of seven on piano and voice. Later, she was introduced to the Double Bass and soon began lessons with the late Douglas Sommer, section bassist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. While studying with Douglas Sommer, she continued her studies at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of Dr. Craig Butterfield. During her studies at USC, Lauren was given the Presser Scholar Award, named a Magellan Scholar, and in 2010, performed a concerto with the University of South Carolina Symphony as the winner of that years USC Concerto Competition. After graduating from USC, Lauren moved to Denton, Texas to study the double bass with Jeffrey Bradetich. During this period, Lauren competed in the American String Teachers Association Competition and the International Society of Bassists Competition. In 2016, she became the first young artist to be sponsored by Pirastro Strings, Gmbh.
Lauren has worked in many different genres and artistic mediums. In 2008, she became a section member in the South Carolina Philharmonic. Lauren appeared as a soloist in the 2011 film "Luz," by Los Angeles filmmaker Ellie Ann Fenton. She has recorded as a soloist on multiple albums, including singer-songwriter Collin Hauser's debut album Collin Hauser with Grammy-award winning recording engineer Tim Kimsey, Fall River Footman's Mullen Road, and R&B artist Mikaela Kahn's Milk And Honey.
Lauren brings an impressive performance repertoire to the table, exceptional for the double bass, where she takes many a risk playing works designed for more versatile and manageable smaller instruments. Most critics find her flair and presentation almost magical. Her current library includes:
J.S. Bach - Suite for Cello no. 1 in G major
J.S. Bach - Suite for Cello no. 2 in G major
J.S. Bach - Suite for Cello no. 3 in G major
J.S. Bach - Suite for Cello no. 4 in G major
J.S. Bach - Suite for Cello no. 5 in G major
Bartók - Roumanian Folk Dances
Beethoven - Sonata for Cello and Piano no. 2 (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Bloch - Meditation Hebraique
Bottesini - Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra no. 2 in B minor
Bottesini - Elegy
Bottesini - Tarantella
Debussy - Girl With the Flaxen Hair (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Fauré - Elegy
Franck - Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major
Glière - Elegy and Tarantella for Double Bass and Piano
Handel-Halvorsen - Passacaglia for Violin and Viola (arrangement for two Double Basses by Lauren Pierce)
Herbert - Concerto no. 2 in E minor for Cello and Orchestra (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Koussevitzky - Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra no. 1 in E minor
Meyer - Concert Duo for Violin and Double Bass
Meyer - Amalgamations for Solo Double Bass
Mišek - Concert Polonaise
Mišek - Sonata for Double Bass and Piano no. 2 in E minor
Monti - Czardas
Myaskovsky - Sonata no. 2 for Cello and Piano in A minor (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Mozart - Per Questa Bella Mano for Double Bass and Bass Voice
Piazzolla - Le Grand Tango (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Piazzolla - Oblivion
Proto - Carmen Fantasy for Double Bass and Orchestra
Rabbath - Iberian Peninsula
Rabbath - Ode D’Espagne
Rabbath - Poucha Dass
Rachmaninoff - Vocalise
Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen (arrangement by Lauren Pierce)
Schubert - Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano
Tchaikovsky - Nocturne for Cello and Orchestra
Walker - Chorale for Solo Double Bass
Lauren is a frequent clinician at several workshops, including the Bradetich Summer Bass Camps and Bassmania at Columbus State University. She resides in Austin, Texas with her partner, exceptional bassist Daniel Parr, who is current playing with the world famous Quebe Sisters.
