Laura A. Goucher has been the Director of Bands at Mahtomedi High School (MHS) in Mahtomedi, MN since 2019. Her primary duties at MHS involve conducting the Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble. She also teaches guitar, piano, AP Music Theory and Exploring Music 8. Previous schools Ms. Goucher has worked at include Hermantown High School (Hermantown, MN), Nashwauk-Keewatin High School (Nashwauk, MN) and Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul, MN).

Laura is a 1996 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. While there, she performed with the prestigious Gustavus Band, as well as numerous other ensembles. She is a horn player, who has performed with various groups, including the Twin Ports Wind Orchestra in Duluth, MN.

Laura is an active member of the Minnesota Band Directors Association, recently serving for four years as the Treasurer and currently is the State Honor Band Coordinator. In addition, she has been a regular member of NAFME and the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) and has served as the All-State Band horn coach, as well as frequently judging the all state horn auditions and jazz trumpet auditions over the years. 

Ms. Goucher has conducted performing ensembles at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Clinic in 2002, 2007 and 2022 and also presented at the clinic in 2024. Most recently, she presented at the 2024 Midwest Clinic on the topic of Teamwork and Student Voice and Choice in the Performance Classroom. In addition, she has adjudicated all around MN and has conducted various honor bands around the midwest, most recently being the University of MN- Duluth High School Honor Band in November of 2024 and University of Northern Iowa Festival of Bands in January of 2024. And she proudly serves on the staff for the MN Ambassadors of Music program.