In 2007, the Charlottesville High School Orchestra marked its 25th anniversary under the inspired direction of Laura Mulligan Thomas. Ms. Thomas came to CHS in 1982 after graduating with honors from James Madison University. She has received numerous awards for her work with young musicians, including Charlottesville's Distinguished Teacher Award, the Piedmont Council of the Arts Award, and "Outstanding Educator in Central Virginia" by Phi Delta Kappa.

Honored as Charlottesville's "Woman of the Year" in 1999 by the Virginia Women's Forum, she was also named one of Charlottesville's Top 25 Citizens by the C-ville Review. Ms. Thomas received her master's degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in 1996, having studied with Thom Wilkins and Ray Fowler. In 2002, Shenandoah University honored Ms. Thomas with its first graduate Alumna of Excellence Award.

Ms. Thomas spent her early years in Alexandria, Virginia, where she studied piano with National Symphony pianist Marion Herrett and learned the cello in the Alexandria City Schools string program. An active performer, Ms. Thomas plays piano and cello with several Charlottesville chamber ensembles, and whenever possible performs with her three siblings as the Mulligan String Quartet. She has guest-conducted dozens of youth orchestras throughout Virginia, and is also the Director of the University of Richmond Orchestra.