Laura Orshaw Receives 2023 Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music

Grammy-nominated fiddler and vocalist Laura Orshaw has been announced as the winner of the Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music. The endowed fund, established by Bill Haney in 2016, provides for an annual visit to Berklee by an outstanding roots musician. The selection criteria for the award are determined by Matt Glaser, artistic director of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program. Past winners include Rhiannon Giddens, Jontavious Willis, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, Sierra Hull ’11, Molly Tuttle ’14, Allison De Groot B.M. ’16, and Tom Piazza.

“Laura Orshaw sings and plays the fiddle with incredible intensity and power, a power that comes from her immersion in the deep emotional core of classic country music,” said Glaser. “As the great Ray Charles said, ‘Country songs are very earthy, like the blues. The people are very honest. Country songs and the blues is like it is!’ Berklee students who will get to work with her, thanks to the Eisenson Family Prize, will benefit from Laura’s amazing knowledge of the trailblazing work of artists such as Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Hazel Dickens.”

Orshaw has toured throughout North America and Europe with Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and her current band, the Po’ Ramblin' Boys, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for their 2019 record, Toil, Tears & Trouble. In 2020 she won in two categories at the prestigious IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and a year later she signed as a solo artist with Dark Shadow Recording. Her debut album, Solitary Diamond, released in 2022, received significant attention and airplay.

“As a music educator and professional musician based in the Boston area, I am so grateful for the incredible opportunities Berklee has afforded me,” said Orshaw. “Through my experiences as a visiting artist, performing at symposiums, teaching private lessons, and working with student ensembles, I’ve come to know the true magic of Berklee. Being named a recipient of the Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music is an absolute honor. I’m thrilled to continue my work with the American Roots Program, with a special focus on women in roots music.”  

Orshaw made her first visit to campus in April and will return periodically over the next calendar year. During her visits, she will work with a wide range of students in ensembles, private lessons, and master classes.