Laura Bishop, daughter of Karen Bishop of Gilmer and the late David Bishop, performed for the Gilmer Rotary Club Tuesday, singing original songs from her soon-to-be released album, Fire.

She also played guitar with a group of young guitar students of Dr. Marcy Ragland.

Laura was the first student Dr. Ragland taught when she moved to Gilmer in 1994. At that time, Laura was a third-grader at Gilmer Elementary School, and studied piano and voice with “Mrs. Marcy,” which continued until she left for college.

That first year, Laura made her public debut when she sang for the Gilmer Rotary Club at its Valentine’s party at Johnny Cace’s Restaurant in Longview.

She went on to earn All-Region Choir honors and a Division 1 at the Texas State Vocal Solo and Ensemble competition when she was only a freshman at Gilmer High School.

Laura graduated in May from the prestigious Clive Davis School of Recorded Music of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

Her original song, Willow Tree, was selected to be played at her commencement during which Whoopi Goldberg was the featured speaker. That same song was also selected for the New York University compilation From the Highs to the Lows.

Additionally, her original song Tidal Wave was voted Best Senior Production at N.Y.U. Laura was a featured artist on NYU-TV as well.

Laura is affiliated with the exclusive performing rights organization, SESAC, and has a September release date for her self-produced album, Fire.

She is currently working with her band in the Austin area, performing her original music.