Laurie Shawger has been a violinist in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in violin performance atThe Juilliard School. After graduating, Laurie spent three years in Dallas, TX as a freelance musician and private teacher. In 1988 she moved to Milwaukee with her husband, Ronald Shawger, then principal cellist of the MSO. Laurie was concertmaster of the Racine Symphony for the 1988.89 season. She taught at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music from 1988 - 1998 and was a member of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra from 1990 - 1995.

Laurie has participated in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s nationally recognized education initiative, ACE, originally in a duet program with her husband, Ronald, then later in collaboration with MSO violist David Taggart. Currently she is involved in school presentations for third graders.