Lori was raised playing various instruments and creating things for enjoyment, learning from her dad to play the organ as a small child. She was first introduced to the steel-stringed folk guitar at a young age by her Aunt Lorraine. She later began formal study of the guitar and lute, performing in master classes by classical guitarist, Rey de la Torre, and lutenist Rodrigo de Zayas. After a break of 19 years to work and study in other areas, she picked up the guitar again to earn her Bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Southern Maine with a work study concentration in arts promotion, communication, and media relations.

In 1995, while studying with Michael Katz at USM, Lori won first prize at the Down East Society for the Classical Guitar, College Division competition. She is a member of the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and has performed in master classes by Jad Azkoul, David Leisner and Antonio Lopez, and attended classes by Ben Verdery, Sharon Isbin, Eliot Fisk and William Kanengeiser.

A member of the Maine Public Relations Council, Lori is Webmaster for American orchestral conductor, Lawrence Golan based in Denver, Colorado. Sole proprietor of Arsenault Artist Management, she also manages web sites for the USM School of Music, Sussex County Youth Orchestra of New Jersey, jazzman Scott Reeves of New York City, the latest exhibits of the Osher Map Library, and several others including a memorial web site for the USS Thresher, lost at sea in 1963, www.ussthresher.com.

Also a singer and songwriter, Lori has been a cantor, musician, and guest minister of music throughout New England for various faith communities. She is currently the cantor in English and Spanish at Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish in Portland, Maine, and also the interim parish secretary. In addition, she is the communicator and webmaster for Cluster 21, the five Catholic churches on the Portland Peninsula and Islands of Portland Harbor.

In the workplace, Lori is the Administrative Manager in the office of the Dean of the School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology at the University of Southern Maine, where she takes an active role in promoting higher education in Maine, particularly in the areas of the applied sciences and music. She is a member of the Professional Staff Senate.

As the mother of two boys, she is the fundraising chairperson, communications director and volunteer coordinator for Northern Force Team 172, one of Maine's four FIRST Robotics teams for high school students. 

Lori is the third of five children of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault, lost at sea on the USS Thresher (SSN 593), and Hilda (Jill) Arsenault Robinson of New Hampshire. She inherited her versatility and love of music and technology from her father, her volunteer spirit and compassion from her mom, and her drive for improvement from her stepfather, Theodore T. Robinson of New Hampshire. She continues her journey to find a single profession for all her many interests from her home base in Gorham, Maine, but thinks that may not be possible.