Laurie Spiegel

Laurie Spiegel joined Bell Labs in 1973 wanting to explore what digital computers could offer for musical composition beyond what she'd been able to do with traditional acoustic, written and analog electronic music technologies. She worked at Bell Labs, independently, under the sponsorship of her mentor Max Mathews, creating her own interactive software for music and visual art. Over the years, working on one after another computer musical instrument, she establish her track record as a pioneer in the world of electronic composition and a mentor in turn to a new generation of artists and composers. Her Mac program, Music Mouse, was revolutionary as were her works that she created with the program. Laurie was early in the use of computers and created some of the first programs for making music using them. Her love for music and the role she has played in inspiring others was very evident during her NAMM Oral History interview, during which she said, "I feel so very fortunate to provide these tools and this music for others to learn from and to enjoy!"