After graduating with honors from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1996, Laurel taught and performed contemporary dance on a variety of small stages around the southeast, including the prestigious West Virginia Dance Festival and Charlotte City Ballet. As a founding member of 3rd Avenue Dance Company in Durango, Colorado, she originated the role of Dew Drop Fairy in their annual Nutcracker, as well as performing in numerous pieces by leading choreographers including K.T. Nelson of ODC San Francisco, Wade Madsen of Cornish College of the Arts, Nancy Cranbourne of CU Boulder, Suzy Disanto, and Shannon Hyatt. Her original choreography includes From Here to There and Red Seven for 3rd Avenue Dance Company, and Tailwaters, a contemporary ballet for an ensemble of eight women. Laurel continues to support dance and the arts in her communities, and upcoming projects include exploring movement in digital mediums.