Lori Gemmell started as a street-corner busker in Montreal and wound up playing regularly with the Toronto Symphony, The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, for which she served as Principal Harpist for 25 years, orchestra re-builder for 2 years, and once again Principal Harpist. Lori teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University and has a passion for new music. She recently (with violinist Sheila Jaffé) premiered the Partita for Violin and Harp by Caroline Lizotte. The late composer R. Murray Schafer honoured her with the gift of his Four Songs for Mezzo-Soprano and Harp, which she also premiered. Lori has made four solo recordings as well as recording with songwriters Kevin Fox and Feist.

Lori and her husband Tom Allen live in Toronto.