Makeup by Maria Ortiz, Photo by DaVitte Taveras
Laurell Eastman has been a bandleader for Starlight Orchestras since 2001. She began working with the company as a vocalist in 1997. Laurell has produced and performed at events all over the country. Her band performs at events for The Dallas Cowboys including Michael Irvin’s induction into the Football Hall of Fame. She has performed for editors of New York Magazine, In Style Magazine, Cosmopolitan and The Knot. She was also featured in an episode of the Sopranos!
One of her favorite weddings was that of television sitcom writer Scott Ganz, son of Lowell Ganz (screen writer of Cocoon, Night Shift, Splash, Apollo 13). Laurell speaks of that fabulous night saying, “Everyone who gave a speech at the wedding was hysterical. It was like watching three-minute stand up routines in between amazing dance sets of high energy music.”
Laurell says that she feels incredibly fortunate to lead a band at Starlight Orchestras. “All the band leaders here really care about the brides and grooms. Our bands are jam-packed with the most amazing talent but, that is a given at Starlight. When people hear the name “Starlight”, that is what they have come to expect. Then when they meet a band leader here face to face, they get to know first hand how we sincerely care about them and their wedding. And then the party is amazing! The dance floor is packed all night and the bride and groom are smiling from ear to ear. They don’t have to say thank you but, they do, about a million times. When I see those letters, emails and pictures that pour into office for all the band leaders, that’s when I’m the most proud. All of our hard work, our meticulous attention to detail and our genuine desire to make people happy pays off. I couldn’t be more proud of the team at Starlight Orchestras.”
Laurell began performing at weddings and parties right after college. She looks young but, she is a capable veteran in the business of providing entertainment with years of experience.
All of the entertainers at Starlight have performed with major recording artists and in Broadway Shows and Laurell is no exception. She was signed to PolyGram Records in Canada. She had a #1 dance single which earned a gold record. She wrote, produced and recorded songs that charted all over Europe and in Israel.
Laurell says, “of all the touring and performing I’ve done in my life, I’m really happiest here at Starlight. It’s because of the personal contact I’m blessed to have with the brides and grooms. I get to produce the wedding that they really want and I’ve never felt anything like the gratitude I feel for that!”