If Nashville is known as the beating heart of country music in America, then up-and-coming artists like Lauren Freebird, also known as Lauren Kleeberg, are its lifeblood. As a young musician on the rise, Lauren stands as a testament to how alternative educational paths, such as those offered at Laurel Springs School, can pave the way for simultaneous academic and creative success.

Lauren’s musical journey is one characterized by soulful writing, singing, and a fierce desire to connect with the world creatively. Her passions are evident when she mentions her hobbies, “writing poems and songs, listening to albums and live music, playing, singing, and collecting records.” But there’s also her love for style, photography, traveling, and exploring the outdoors that further highlights her go-getter attitude and zest for life.

Laurel Springs: Offering Lauren a Fresh Start

Lauren’s academic journey and musical pursuits first intersected when she decided to transfer to Laurel Springs during her junior year. The challenges of maintaining a 4.0 GPA as an Honors/AP student at a brick-and-mortar school while navigating the demands of Nashville’s music scene were overwhelming to say the least. Add to that the struggle of trying to establish meaningful relationships with peers who couldn’t relate to her non-traditional lifestyle, and the need for a change became palpable.

“Through some research, my parents and I found Laurel Springs,” Lauren shared. “I was a student at The Academy throughout the remainder of my high school experience.”

Lauren fondly recalls her time at Laurel Springs, stating, “My mental health vastly improved, as a self-paced schedule made me feel less overwhelmed. Through Friday hangouts, I developed a strong friend group from around the globe, many of which I continue to keep in touch with despite the fact most of us have graduated.”

The flexibility that Laurel Springs provided was a key component of Lauren’s success, allowing her to balance her academic and music careers simultaneously and equally. “With Laurel Springs’ flexibility, I was allowed to work ahead if I knew I was going to be on tour for a week. Being in online school also cuts all of the waiting and ‘fluff’ out of a traditional school day. There’s no walking from class to class or waiting on a teacher or classmates. You can do the work on your own time, which allowed me to maximize the rest of my time,” Lauren emphasized.

Prioritizing Academics and Outside Passions

For Lauren, music has never solely been about the rhythm and lyrics; it’s about commitment, ambition, and discipline. “In order to be a professional musician, you have to have ambition, grit, drive, and a strong work ethic,” she expressed.

Before music, these principles were primarily applied to her studies, but after intertwining the two, she promised herself she’d approach both with equal dedication. “Having a strong academic record is something that can never be taken away from you. It’s never a bad thing to have another strong aspect to fall back on besides musicality and creativity.”

Lauren’s advice for potential students of Laurel Springs is poignant, “For a student with self-discipline and strong ambitions, Laurel Springs is the dream high school. You get out of Laurel Springs what you put into it. If you put effort into your studies and the social communities, you will excel and find happiness.”

Life after Laurel Springs

After graduating with a sparkling 4.0 GPA, Lauren decided to take a gap year and dive deep into her music career. Her eyes lit up when discussing her current projects, “Since graduating, I have performed around Nashville and beyond. I’ve been recording at Cash Cabin – John Carter Cash’s recording studio – with an EP soon to release in attempts to launch off my career as a Rock, Americana, and Alternative Country artist.”

But that’s not all. She recently returned from the 1st Annual Montisi-Nashville Music Festival in Italy. She beams with pride, as she should, noting, “I organized all of the female-based Nashville talent for the festival. All of us are under age 25, so it was a very empowering experience; and the fact that the whole show was such a success in its first year was so rewarding.”

Looking ahead, she has big ambitions, “Five years from now, I hope to be performing in stadiums across the globe, releasing my music to fans worldwide.” With charm, talent, and determination like hers, these dreams aren’t far out of reach.

Staying Connected with Laurel Springs Alumni

Lauren is not just a musical maestro and rockstar student; she’s also a connected alumna with plans to nurture her network with other Laurel Springs alumni. “I am a member of the LSS Alumni Connect platform and it is one of the strongest resources that Laurel Springs School offers its students. Having access to a global network of individually skilled and talented alumni right at my fingertips is an incredibly valuable resource.”

Follow Along on Lauren’s Journey

Remember the name Lauren Freebird; we’ll undoubtedly be hearing it more often! As she continues to write, sing, play and thrive, she also stands as a success story – demonstrating the profound impact of a flexible educational environment that empowers passionate individuals to pursue their dreams without compromise, unfettered and free.

To stay in-the-know with Lauren, catch her EP upon release, view her upcoming performances, and follow her on social media or visit her website. If you’re another Laurel Springs Alumna, interact with Lauren on LSS Alumni Connect!

Instagram and TikTok: @laurenfreebirdofficial
Facebook: Lauren Freebird
YouTube: @laurenfreebird
Website: laurenfreebird.com

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