Guest Soloist

Lara Downes

Honored as Classical Woman of the Year by NPR’s Performance Today, American pianist Lara Downes has been praised as “a musical ray of hope” by NBC News and “an explorer whose imagination is fired by bringing notice to the underrepresented and forgotten” (The Log Journal). A trailblazer and cultural visionary, Lara is renowned for her dynamic work as a soloist, Billboard Chart-topping recording artist, NPR personality, producer, curator, and arts activist.

Her creative collaborations span a diverse range of artists, including the Miró Quartet, Rhiannon Giddens, Rita Dove, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Daniel Hope. She has premiered and commissioned works from composers such as Billy Childs, Valerie Coleman, and Arturo O’Farrill. Lara's insightful approach to concept and curation has produced numerous chart-topping recordings on the Pentatone, Sony Masterworks, and Sono Luminus labels, including "Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined" and "Love at Last."

Lara's unique musical roadmap seeks inspiration from the legacies of history, family, and collective memory, creating acclaimed performance and recording projects that bring listeners together. Recent and upcoming performances include guest appearances with the orchestras of Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Dallas, and Indianapolis, as well as recitals and residencies at Lincoln Center, Disney Hall, Ravinia, Tanglewood, and more.

Photo by Max Barrett

As the creator and host of AMPLIFY with Lara Downes, an NPR Music series, she features intimate conversations with visionary Black artists and cultural leaders. She is also the creator and curator of Rising Sun Music, a series highlighting the music and stories of Black composers over the past 200 years. Lara is actively involved with organizations like the ACLU and Headcount, advocating for social justice and democratic participation.

Lara is also an Artist Ambassador for Yamaha and serves as a Creative Partner with institutions like the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Lincoln Center. Her work is supported by the Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Sphinx Venture Fund, and the Center for Cultural Innovation.

"CLASSICAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR"

- Performance Today
"A MUSICAL RAY OF HOPE."

- NBC News, Los Angeles
“A TRAILBLAZING PIANIST WHO COMBINES EXQUISITE MUSICALITY WITH AN ACUTE AWARNESS OF HOW AN ARTIST CAN MAKE A POSITIVE AND LASTING SOCIAL IMPACT.”

- The Piano Magazine
“EXPECT GLAMOUR WITH SUBSTANCE."

- WQXR, New York’s Classical Radio Station