Lauren Hooker

LAUREN HOOKER is a multi talented performing artist, educator and producer. Referred to as a “Renaissance Women” by several critics, her journey started with piano lessons when she was four years old. By the time she was fifteen she was singing soprano with full orchestra in her father’s chorus, The New Jersey Schola Cantorum. Conductor, Louis Hooker’s many accomplishments include performing with Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck’s Sacred Works with his chorus and their ensembles. Lauren received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with a minor in Theater from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She furthered her studies at Bloomingdale House of Music in NYC, receiving her Orff Certification (teaching music w pitched and non pitched percussion instruments) under the direction of Danai Gagne, who was a protege’ of composer Carl Orff. Ms Hooker continued Masters coursework in conducting at Manhattan School of Music, where she also studied with famed jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan and, at The Omega Institute in NY, with Bobby McFerrin. While still in college, Lauren performed professionally as a solo pianist/vocalist in clubs and restaurants and singing lead vocals in various bands for private events. To help develop her performance skills, Lauren studied theater at FDU and soon landed the lead role in two – two person plays, “The Woolgatherer” by William Mastrosimone, and Tennesse William’s “Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen”. Her interest in children’s musical theater began while developing collaborative works in FDU’s “Underground Theater” and presenting them professionally in elementary schools.  Dedicated to the education of young and old alike, Lauren taught music at Bank Street School for Children, a world renown Progressive School in NYC. During her tenure, she developed curriculum and original songs that integrated the schools science, social studies, language arts, spanish and mathematics programs. Her love for world music was widely embraced at Bank St. where she taught students to accompany themselves using body percussion, mallet and non pitched (Orff) instruments, as well as movement and dance, recorders and two children’s choruses. As a Teaching Artist via Arts Horizon’s, Lauren taught music in the Bronx, Manhattan, East Harlem, Newark, Hoboken and Paterson to name several. She also taught music in several Montessori Schools in New Jersey. During this time, Lauren developed her own Arts in Education Company: Musical Legends “teaching cultures through the arts and arts through the cultures”. Musical Legends brings to life interactive, educational musical story programs: A “Jazz 4 Kids” show, a Native American tale “The Legend of Rainbow Crow”; an African creation story, “The Fire Children”; a Chinese story, “The Power of the Phoenix”; a bilingual story: “Mariposa Butterfly”; a Brazilian children’s book “The Kapok Tree”; and most recently, “Drum/Song/Movement Circles”, which highlight excerpts from each show. Her unique and interactive brand of storytelling has afforded her opportunities to perform in countless schools, museums, libraries, art centers and festivals nationwide including shows in the Virgin Islands; commissioned works for St John the Divine in NYC; and in 2019 she traveled across the country with her “Celebrate Diversity Tour” that highlighted her original song “Hate Has No Home Here”.  Ms Hooker has worked for some of the most prominent Arts in Education companies in the northeast including Arts Horizons, Arts for Kids, as well as The Arts Council of the Morris Area, conducting teacher training symposiums, performances, and artist in residency workshops.  As an arts activist, Lauren founded several non-profit arts organizations in New Jersey: The Teaneck Cultural Arts Coalition, First Night Teaneck and Festival of Arts, a project of the Puffin Foundation, LTD. Serving as Artistic Director, Lauren, with a host of volunteers, produced award winning concert series, including “Young People’s Concerts”, “First Night Teaneck” New Years Eve festivals, arts workshops, shows and symposiums, as well as newsletters for the community: “Bringing People Together by Celebrating our Cultural Diversity through the Arts”.  An accomplished pianist, jazz vocalist and composer, Lauren has performed and/or recorded with some of the most prominent world class jazz musicians in the New York Metropolitan area. She has three critically acclaimed cds that feature jazz standards, her original compositions and her lyrics set to jazz standards. Her recordings have been played on radio stations worldwide. She was an invited guest on numerous radio and television programs including WBGO’s “Singers Unlimited”, WKCR in NYC, as well as Jazz Radio in Phoenix, Az. Lauren currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has performed with her quartet at The Nash Jazz Club in Phoenix, The Ravenscroft in Scottsdale, The Tempe Festival of the Arts, Sacred Grounds Jazz Coffeehouse, The Phoenix Art Center, as well as in numerous restaurants throughout the Valley. As the former Music Director for The Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, Lauren played piano and sang for their Sunday services, while encouraging congregants to join in as Song and Percussion Leaders. She founded and produced their Guest Artist Series, Creative Congregant Series and Hymn Shares, and performed in their Jazz Concert Series, as well as The Beatitudes Arts Council’s Art Shows. Lauren is currently teaching piano privately in her home studio while working for Az Rhythm Connection, providing drum and percussion circles in Memory Care Centers and Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers. She also works for Lucas Artists, providing live music in 55+ senior communities.