Community Highlights: Meet Laura Campbell of LJDstudios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Campbell.

Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2007 I graduated from a fancy pants music conservatory with a degree in voice, and I have never felt more lost, confused, and broken as a singer. I don’t really blame my teachers or the school. But looking back on it, I blame a culture of teaching singing that strives for perfection over beauty, and has forgotten that singers are humans. As I walked away from graduation day with my diploma in hand, I was incredibly uncertain about what I wanted to do. But despite my brokenness, I was still determined that music was my career path…I just didn’t know in what form.

My first job was as a choir director at a Methodist church in New Jersey. The job was part-time so I needed to supplement my income in other ways. Out of both necessity and curiosity, I started teaching voice lessons privately…mostly to people in the choir. No one in the choir had professional aspirations and most had little to no musical background. They just wanted to feel confident that they were giving their best every Sunday. It was here that I found I had a knack for communicating difficult vocal and musical concepts in ways non musicians could understand. Two years after graduating from college, I decided to pursue a masters degree in Voice Pedagogy (the science of teaching voice).

Fast forward to 2013, I had a masters in hand and knew I wanted to move back to my home state of Colorado and teach privately full time. Non-musicians with an interest in singing have always been my clientele. When others have told them they can’t sing, can’t match pitch, whatever the thing is, I have shown them they can. Every now and again a semi professional or professional singer comes my way and I love working with those singers as well. But I have found my niche by showing “regular” people that singing, music, and vocal technique do not have to be confusing or out of reach. So now I look back at all of the frustration, confusion, and brokenness I went through as a singer during my undergraduate years and realize how formational that time was for me as a teacher.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think it’s pretty rare for any business owner to experience a completely smooth road. Originally I taught in person only. I moved several times which meant rebuilding my clientele with each move. The pandemic was another road block that changed things for most businesses. In the long run, it ended up bringing a lot of positive changes for me. I learned how to teach lessons online and have found a lot of success in that format. Now I can reach people around the world, not just in my neighborhood. In my personal life, growing my family has been a great joy, but work wise, it has presented new challenges to the way I do business as my time is more limited. t’s been a challenge to balance the needs of my business and the needs of my family, but ultimately I’m grateful to have the flexibility of being my own boss so I can show up fully as a mother and as a teacher.

We’ve been impressed with LJDstudios, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
LJDstudios is a one woman show. I teach voice lessons out of my home studio in Morrison. In fact, my husband and I bought our current house specifically because it had an attached apartment that we have converted into my voice studio. When students arrive, they can enjoy tea or coffee in the waiting area before stepping back into my private teaching space.

I have taught all ages, levels of experience, and ability, but I’m known for making singing approachable and specialize in working with beginners, underdogs, and lost causes.. I’ve had students walk in struggling to match pitch and walk out with acceptance letters to prestigious music programs. In my opinion, it’s easy to take someone with a lot of natural talent and hone them into a star. It’s another to take someone who no one thinks can sing (including themselves) and get them to a level where they can confidently sing happy birthday at a party. It’s not flashy, but it brings me great joy to help people realize they can do something they never thought they could do.

How do you think about happiness?
Nothing lights me up like spending time with my almost 2 year old son. I’m expecting twin boys this January and I can only imagine the many ways in which having three sons is going to expand my joy. Outside of my family life, I love a good glass of wine, a perfectly paced yoga class, and trail runs that you think are going to be just a little bit too challenging. All of these things in one way or another remind me of what’s important in life…to cherish the small things, make room for a little indulgence, breathe slowly, and push yourself a little past your perceived boundaries so you can find out what you’re really capable of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ljdstudios.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ljdstudios

Image Credits
Jason Natzke