"Thanks for your songs... Congrats on your work/play with children."
- Pete Seeger

"For the past 10 or more years I have seen Laurie Vela work with children, developing choruses, writing songs with them and teaching songs in a variety of situations: music camps, festivals, and many different general music situations. Her rapport with children is amazing and heart warming. I heartily recommend her for any musical and spiritual work with the young. As a performer for both adults and children she is unexcelled. Her work is now enhanced by the participation of her son Jeremiah."
 - Faith Petric, Singer & Founder & Board of the San Francisco Folk Music Club

"Laurie and Jeremiah bring a wonderful experience to music that is fun, creative, and moving.  With every program they have done or Sunday musical piece, the audience has laughed, cried, and felt the presence of God through all of it. Laurie has written many fabulous songs that speak directly to what is happening in our lives, and incorporates many New Thought ideas that open the mind and heart. She playfully invites youth of all ages to grow through joining in spiritual community in song and creative self expression. Her son, Jeremiah has a great presence for such a young person that will steal your heart the moment he begins singing. What an amazing team of heart builders.  
See them, hear them, invite them. You will be blessed."  
Rev. Denese Schellink Unity Minister - Spiritual Life Center,
Now Unity Church of Valley, Vacaville

"Laurie Vela is a temple of golden light that creates joy, excitement and enthusiasm wherever she goes.  She has the uncanny ability to take the energy of any given moment and put it into songs that inspire, uplift and capture exactly what is needed to create sacred space.  Laurie has the ability to see the good in all those that she works with and to call it forward into expression even when the individual can not see it for themselves. Together Laurie and her son Jeremiah uncompromisingly emanate an aura of the full expression of Divine Light and the love that they share is contagious.  This is all done with kindness, passion, boundless energy and a commitment to community and friendship." - Rev. Richard Burdick, Music Minister Emeritus, Spiritual Life Center,
Musician, Singer & Composer Extraordinaire

"Laurie Story Vela is a songwriter and singer bubbling with creativity and energy.
Her music is easy to learn, fun to sing and loaded with spiritual wisdom. The songs are wonderful with powerful affirmations that will be sung over & over by our children and adults as well. You cannot listen to them without smiling or tearing up."
Reverends Michael and Faith Moran, Founding Senior Ministers,
Spiritual Life Center, Sacramento

"Laurie Vela has always moved me deeply with her spiritual focus, truthfulness, and honesty. Many have been the times I have been moved to tears and deep emotion as a result of hearing her heart opening songs. She awakens the child in me as I listen to her sing and enjoy her performances with various children's choirs. Not only is Laurie skillful as a children's choir director, she is also experienced and talented as a educator with a focus on linguistics, thus she is an amazing package for any group of children and adults alike to experience."
- Bari Roberts, Occupational Therapist and second year student at the
Pacific Coast Church/ Center for Creative Living

"Laurie's songs come directly from her soulful heart to yours.  With soothing,enthusiastic and affirmative lyrics, children of all ages experience heightened emotional awareness and spiritual groundedness. In a fast-paced workaday world where we often forget our connectedness, Laurie's music helps one to be mindful of self and others."
Jennifer McCandless, Mom & SLC Community, Sacramento

"Laurie Story's songs are inspiring and uplifting reminders that life is a fabulous adventure. They will make you smile inwardly as well as outwardly!"
- August Bullock, Attorney, Singer-Songwriter, Santa Cruz

        "This comes as a wholehearted endorsement of Laurie Vela as a caring human being, an excellent performer for all ages, and especially as a teacher and mentor for children.  I have known Laurie for something like 15  years and have watched her expand her repertoire, hone her skills, and share her values of love and care for all.  She attends the San Francisco  Folk Music Club's "Camp Harmony," and each year she takes a group of children, ranging in age from 3 to 14 years, and within the short time available puts together an act that show-cases their abilities, enhances their self-esteem, and entertains the whole camp.  She now includes her own son, Jeremiah ... Somehow she manages to infuse him, as well as the rest of us -- children and adults --  with a sense of purpose, fun, and accomplishment. And she does all this with energy, cheer, patience, helpfulness, and love.  We cherish her in the folk community and know that she will touch anyone who knows her with her special talents and care for all." 
       - Marian Gade, SFFMC & Administrative Leader with Girl Scouts of America