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Laura Barbe, employment specialist
Wherever life has taken her—from the U.S. to Macedonia, Romania, Kuwait and back to the U.S—music has been Employment Specialist Laura Barbe’s “go-to” activity.
“Music has always been a part of my life and a big part of my family’s life. I play the flute and I sing,” she said. “When I traveled to different places to live and work, I wanted to keep music with me. Since my voice is always with me, it’s the easiest way to go.”
Upon joining World Relief Wisconsin in June 2024, Laura knew she wanted to find ways to stay in tune with her favorite pastime. She got involved quickly with the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band and the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. Practices typically fill her time a couple nights a week, more when a concert is approaching.
Laura’s favorite pieces to sing are classical works, sacred music and long and difficult compositions like Mozart’s Requiem in D minor that she “really has to work at.”
In spring 2025, Laura was excited to invite her World Relief coworkers to the chamber’s Hope for Unity concert as she felt the songs on the program would resonate well during uncertain times.
Laura said she can just lose herself in the song “Soon We Will be Done:”
Done with hatred and done with war; come, lift the lonely, come lift up the poor.
Soon we will be done with the troubles of the world when heaven comes to earth.
She also says the lyrics for “Can We Sing the Darkness to Light,” which imagines a world that values mercy and compassion, are “just perfect for this time.”
Can we see the other as our brother?
Can we sing the darkness to light?
Sounding chords of compassion and grace
Set the swords of judgement aside
Laura’s work at World Relief Wisconsin involves assisting refugees with adapting their skills to the needs of the local workforce and by breaking down barriers to employment, such as language, education and cultural obstacles. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Miami University and a master’s in international relations and global studies from Northeastern University.