"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:23-25

Laura moved to Michigan in 1996 and almost immediately started working at TLC as the organist and choir director. Her role has changed some over the years and now she leads the praise band, sings & plays piano for services, and plans music for worship and other special events. More than 25 years later she is still overjoyed to be sharing her gifts with this loving and Christ-filled community.

 

Laura began her career teaching choir and general music for Holly Area Schools where she grew the choir program and directed and music directed many musicals. After having her two daughters, Laura started Blanchard Music Studio, where she taught Kindermusik classes to children ages 0-7 and voice and piano lessons to all ages. She also served as the piano accompanist for Holly High School and Holly Middle School for 15 years. Her family relocated to Tokyo, Japan for two years for her husband’s job, which was an incredible cultural experience and Laura was fortunate to spend a little time as a substitute music teacher at The American School in Japan.

 

In addition to her role at TLC, Laura works at Oakland University where she is an adjunct professor and teaches Musicianship for Musical Theater majors. She is also a vocal coach for theater majors and accompanist for the Musical Theater department. Laura music directs and plays piano/keyboard for musicals around the area and performs as a pianist and vocalist. She lives with her husband, Rob, who is in automotive engineer, and their two daughters who make them very proud. Molly is a student in mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University and Julia is finishing high school and then has plans to pursue a degree in songwriting in college.