Lara Cohen

Lara has sung across the United States with roots in classical singing, jazz, and blues. She brings a diverse wealth of knowledge and understanding of different learning and musical styles. Her work focuses on healthy production, musical literacy, and developing the voice in the way her students aim to be heard.

She holds a B.A. in music from CSUEB and a Masters of Music in operatic studies from UNM. She has performed as a soloist with Schola Cantorum, Afterglow Chorus, and Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Lara has also been teaching voice for over ten years at several music schools in both the Bay Area and Texas. She is excited to get Starland students started and helping them find their voices!

Alive or dead, what musician would you do anything to see or meet?

I’d love to meet Koji Kondo (or any of the Nintendo composer superstars like Kazumi Totaka, Hajima Wakai, David Wise, etc). Video game music is one of my passions, so to meet him would be so inspiring!

Who/What is your greatest musical influence?

As a child, The Beatles were my musical world. Now, my musical friends are my primary influence. They inspire me to play and create every single day

Any hidden talents outside of music?

I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds. It’s pretty fun once you learn how to do it!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

At first, I wanted to be a scientist in Chemistry or Astronomy, then later I thought I wanted to be a psychologist. But after enough time, I realized music was my true passion

If you could have any “Super Power”, what would it be?

Time-stop. That way I can get those 20 extra minutes of sleep in the morning, or come up with an epic comeback in an argument

If you could master any other instrument, which would it be?

It might not be an instrument, but I’d master the modular synthesizer (that wall of ports and wires that create really cool electronic soundscapes). I love all the synth-y goodness that comes out of it!

Have you had what people would consider “15 Minutes of Fame”?

I feel like I had 2 note-worthy moments:
My first was in 2018 when I joined the School of Rock: AllStars Team. I was the keyboardist in a band, we were all teenagers, my name entered the local news, and we went on a week-long tour covering Nashville to Chicago, ending with a show at Lollapalooza!

My second was in 2023 when I composed both of my undergraduate senior musical works. One of them helped me win a high-prestige academic award celebrated by the entire music department. The other one was performed by the experimental music ensemble at the institution, and to my surprise, George E. Lewis was in the audience! He enjoyed my music and complimented me on my work, and that still sits with me to this day

It’s your last meal: What would it be?

I LOVE ice cream sundaes, so I’d go straight for dessert: A big bowl of high-quality vanilla gelato with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, banana slices, pecans, walnuts, cookie pieces, and chocolate chips, drizzled with caramel and hot fudge, and topped off with whipped cream and a sweet cherry.

In short, it’s pure bliss in a bowl

If you were on a deserted island and only had one album to listen to, what would it be?

That is such a tough choice! If I had to decide in the moment, my heart would pick ショップ @ ヘルシンキ [Shop @ Helinski] by 猫シ Corp. [Neko Shi Corp.]. It’s been one of my favorite chill-out albums for the past three years, and I love every single song on it.

What is the biggest take-away you want students to remember from your music lessons?

No matter what you’re learning, it’s okay to fail. There’s no other way to grow or move forward except to try, fail, and then try again. Let your heart be your guide, let failure be your supportive teacher, and never stop being the best version of you

Lara Cohen

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