Lara commenced her journey at Loreto Toorak in Year 5, supported by a music scholarship. She soon became an active member in the school’s thriving music community and enjoyed the leadership positions of Leader of Symphony Orchestra, Head of House Music (Barry) and Instrumental PAF captain in her senior years. Under the mentorship of music instructor Jane-Marie Stuart, Lara achieved significant milestones during her time at the School. She attained her AmusA and LmusA diplomas, earned 2nd place in the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (Youth), performed in the Australian Youth Orchestra, and became a VCE Top Class performer. As her schooling drew to a close, Lara felt a strong inclination to pursue higher education in the field of music, firmly believing it to be the path that lay ahead for her.
In her first year of university, she received the inaugural Monash University David Li Music Scholarship, was a finalist in the university’s Australian Classical Music Competition and was awarded the Anna Chmiel Memorial Fund Prize for the best overall chief music study in Strings. Under the guidance of Dr Elizabeth Sellars, Lara graduated with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the Melbourne Conservatorium in 2022. During her time there, she led the Baroque Ensemble, received the Corinna D’Hage Mayer String Scholarship for Excellence numerous times, and had the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Ray Chen, Satu Vänksä and the Australian String Quartet.
In the final years of her undergraduate studies, Lara developed a growing fascination for early music traditions and historically informed performance, aligning harmoniously with her passion for 17th and 18th century history. Encouraged by university staff, she took the decisive step of applying for a Graduate Diploma in Historical Performance at The Juilliard School in New York City. She is thrilled to have been admitted into the program, which involves a full-tuition scholarship, and is now preparing to embark on this exciting new experience which is scheduled to commence this month.
Lara gratefully acknowledges the profound impact of her time at Loreto Toorak on her current success. Studying under the guidance of Jane-Marie Stuart, her technique and musicality were meticulously cultivated. Moreover, the supportive staff members whom Lara encountered at Loreto Toorak created a nurturing environment that not only bolstered her confidence but also ignited her ambition, paving the way for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
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