Born in 1973 in Altoona, AL, Dr. Laughlin is the author of numerous publications and is in high demand as a guest lecturer, performer and teacher. He has presented recitals, master classes, workshops, and research on local, state, national, and international levels.
His presentations have included topics such as improvisation (classical and jazz), curriculum development in group piano and American composers. He has also written articles for The American Music Teacher and the Piano Pedagogy Forum.
Dr. Laughlin is one of the nations leading experts on teaching improvisation, teacher education, and group piano instruction.
His research and teaching strategies on improvisation have been featured at the national conferences of the National Association of Schools of Music, the College Music Society, and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.
He has presented at the International Conference of the College Music Society, as well as the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, Southern, South Central, and Northeast Regional Conferences of the College Music Society and has been the featured clinician on teacher education in improvisation at the Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts and South Carolina Music Educators State Conferences.
