Lauretta Werner Merriman

Violin

Dr. Lauretta Werner Merriman taught as Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola at Longwood University, Lecturer of Violin at West Virginia University, as a violin faculty member at Camp Encore/Coda, and as a quartet teaching fellow at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. 

A dedicated performer, Werner performs solos in regional concert series and at international conferences. As a chamber musician, Werner plays with a variety of ensembles, such as string quartets, chamber orchestras, and Baroque ensembles. In summer 2019, she performed and taught as a quartet teaching fellow with the Montani String Quartet at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. 

As an educator and conductor, Werner frequently judges and adjudicates music competitions and orchestra assessments. She also frequently serves as a guest clinician at many high school orchestra programs, and recently conducted the All-County Orchestra in Henrico, VA. During her five years at Longwood University, Werner received multiple teaching awards, such as the 2022 Longwood University Citizen Leader Award, the 2023 Princeps Honors Society Award, and the 2024 Assistant Professor of Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship.

As a researcher, Werner researches and explores the topic of mindfulness for musicians by reinterpreting mindfulness-based therapies and sport psychology models for musicians. In May 2019, she completed her dissertation, “Mindfulness for Musicians: Bringing sport psychology and mindfulness-based therapies to the practice room and the concert stage.” Werner has presented her research at the International Research Symposium on Talent Education, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, the American Viola Society Festival, the HERO Conference, and at various universities and institutions.  

Werner began her studies in Suzuki violin at age seven in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Ohio University, a master’s degree in Suzuki violin pedagogy from Ithaca College, and a doctoral degree in violin performance from West Virginia University. She studied with Solomiya Ivakhiv, Stephen Miahky, Mikylah Myers, Carrie Reuning-Hummel, and Susan Waterbury.