Amy Laurenson

Amy Laurenson is a Shetland-born, Glasgow-based pianist and composer redefining the role of the piano in contemporary traditional music. Grounded in the rich musical heritage of the Shetland Isles, her playing bridges Scottish, Irish, and Scandinavian traditions with refined classical technique and jazz sensibilities.

A powerhouse performer, Amy was named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023 at Celtic Connections, an official showcase artist for WOMEX 2024, and the recipient of a prestigious New Voices commission at Celtic Connections 2026. Her work has garnered consistent critical acclaim, including nominations at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards for Up and Coming Artist of the Year (2024) and Original Work of the Year (2025). Her debut solo album, Strands, earned a coveted spot on the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award Longlist 2024.

Amy’s international touring spans appearances at major global festivals, including Celtic Colours (Canada), Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France), Viljandi Folk Festival (Estonia) and Cambridge Folk Festival (UK). As a featured soloist with orchestra, she has performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Glasgow’s City Halls and the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra at Usher Hall. Her versatility extends to musical direction, having served as Musical Director for the international touring production Irish Celtic.

A First-Class Honours graduate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Amy is a sought-after collaborator across the folk scene. Her current ensemble projects include:

• Solo: Her core solo project featuring an extended line-up with Percussion and Double Bass
• Collaborative Ensembles: FLIT trio (with English harmonica/melodeon player Will Pound and Norwegian Hardanger player Guro Kvifte Nesheim), LÉDA (with Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín), Duo with Norman Willmore.
• Studio Appearances: Featured pianist on albums including Ciaran Ryan’s Kick Up the Dust and Tern’s Flyway.