Ms James made her Operatic debut singing the role of Gretel in the Utah Opera production of “Hansel and Gretel”, and has returned many times performing a diverse repertoire that includes: the Fire and the Princess from Maurice Ravel’s “L’Enfant et les Sortileges”, Flora from Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw” and both Madame Goldentrill and Miss Silverpeal from Mozart’s “The Impresario”, and Mozart’s Papagena. Monica from “The Medium”, Laetitia, from “The Old Maid and the Thief”, both by Menotti, also with Utah Opera. Other roles include: Amore from Gluck’s “Orpheo ed Euridice”, Adele from “Die Fledermaus” byStrauss, and Nella, from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi.” She debuted the lead role Eve from a newly composed opera “First Cast a Stone” by William Call.
Equally important in her repertoire is Concert and Oratorio work. She was the soprano soloist in “Carmina Burana” with the Eugene Ballet Company on their Northwestern tour, in Oregon and Idaho. Other solo concert performances include: Vivaldi’s “Gloria”, with the Utah Symphony, Schubert’s “Mass in Ab Major”, with the Eugene Concert Choir, Mozart’s “Ruhe Sanft” and “Exultate Jubilate”, with the Oregon Mozart Players, Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Ballet West, “L’Enfance du Christ” by Berlioz, Handel’s “Messiah”, Charpentier’s “Te Deum”, and “Coronation Mass” by Mozart. Other credits also include Bach’s “St. Matthews Passion,” and “Magnificat,” with the University of Utah Choral and Salt Lake City Choral Artists. The “Creation” by Haydn, “Vespers” by Monteverdi, Mozart’s “Requiem” with the SLCC Artists and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Faure’s “Requiem” with the Rogue Valley Symphony.
Laurel was a winner of the Utah/Western Division of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and continued as a regional finalist in Denver Colorado. At the MacAllister Awards for Professional Opera Singers, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, she placed among the Top 20 out of 800 International singers.
She has been a frequent recitalist for the Temple Square Concert Series, Festival of the Madeleine Concert Series, and the St. James Benefit Concert Series in aid of the Salt Lake City Homeless Shelter. Ms James was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She also holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from University of Utah.
Laurel is a former faculty at Snow College and also a former member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.