Laura Grill Jaye

Laura Grill Jaye serves as Lecturer and Director of the MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, assuming leadership of the ensemble from founder John Harbison in 2017 while teaching Songwriting courses. She also coordinates the Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study.

Education:

• B.A. in Jazz Voice and Composition, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
• M.A. in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance, New England Conservatory

Artistic Focus: Her creative work merges jazz mentality with folk/rock storytelling, described by The Boston Globe as "jump jazz, barroom rock, chamber folk, and downright infectious." She develops innovative music pedagogy through courses like "How to Listen to Music" and "Weird Instruments," emphasizing experiential learning and genre-blending composition.

Awards:

• 2022 Relentless Award for "How the White Girl Got Her Spots and Other 90s Trivia"
• 2021 Jonathan Larson Grant from American Theatre Wing
• 2016 NYMF "Best of Fest" for "Artemis in the Parking Lot"

Mentorship & Collaborations: Built Meridian Academy's music department from scratch in 2011 while mentoring students through ensemble direction and instrument-building projects. Partners with artists including Jacob Collier (Djesse Vol. 1 World Premiere), Audra McDonald (Boston Symphony Hall/Lincoln Center performances), and Luciana Souza through MIT educational initiatives.

Ensembles: Directs MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble while leading her original project Laura Grill Band (albums: "Never Before" 2011, "Tell All Your Friends" 2013) and co-creating theater works with Shayok Misha Chowdhury as "Grill and Chowder" at venues including Ars Nova and New York Theatre Workshop.