The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) has announced the appointment of pianist, recording artist, and media personality Lara Downes as its first-ever creative partner.
In her three-year role, Downes will engage with LACO across various platforms, including artistic planning, performances, community engagement, advocacy, and education. She will also serve as a creative advisor to LACO’s music director, Jaime Martín.
Downes’ responsibilities will include performing and curating selected programs, identifying and mentoring the annual Sound Investment composer, supporting the LACO Fellowship, and representing LACO in national arts and culture spheres.
While fulfilling her new role, Downes will continue her independent performance, broadcasting, and recording activities. Her upcoming album, THIS LAND, will be released on the Pentatone label and will feature a range of music from traditional folk tunes to newly commissioned works.
Known for her role as the host of Evening Music on KUSC in Southern California, Downes is also the creator and host of NPR’s video series Amplify with Lara Downes and the nationally syndicated program Classical Americana, produced by Classical California/KUSC.
She founded Rising Sun Music, a recording series that highlights the music and histories of Black composers over the past 200 years. Her work has received support from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sphinx Venture Fund, and the Center for Cultural Innovation.
During the 2024/25 season, Downes will make her LACO mainstage debut, performing Florence Price’s Piano Concerto under Martín’s baton.
LACO’s music director, Jaime Martín, expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Lara Downes as LACO’s first Creative Partner. She is a groundbreaking artist and cherished radio host with a vast following both on air and in concert halls. Her dedication to classical music and commitment to making it accessible to all communities aligns perfectly with LACO’s mission to advance the chamber music art form. I look forward to collaborating with her on stage and in our artistic, educational, and community-building initiatives.”
Downes also shared her excitement about the role, stating, “I am delighted to join LACO as the Orchestra’s Creative Partner, a role that perfectly aligns with my interests in performance, curation, community engagement, education, and advocacy. LACO’s innovative programming offers a vast canvas for my artistic explorations at the intersection of past and present, tradition and innovation. I look forward to collaborating with Jaime Martín and LACO’s talented musicians, staff, and supporters to create inspiring and inclusive musical experiences for Los Angeles and beyond.”
