Ms. Lara is an international concert pianist and pedagogue. Her career has taken her to Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, and the US.

Active as a chamber musician and a collaborative artist, Ms. Lara has been on faculty of numerous music festivals, such as: The Upbeat Summer Music Festival, Croatian String Teachers Association Music Festival, Texas Cello Academy, UNT Summer String Institute, etc. She collaborated with such artists as Dora Schwarzberg, David Grigorian, Gustavo Tavares, and Eleonore Schoenfeld.

Ms. Lara holds her degree in Piano Performance from University of Zagreb Academy of Music, and Master of Arts Piano Performance degree from California State University, Fresno. She was mentored by many distinguished pianists such as Leon Bates, Jean-Philippe Collard, Rudolf Kehrer, Arbo Valdma, Elena Richter, Pavica Gvozdic, Melita Lorkovic, Dorde Stanetti, and Andreas Werz.

During her 29 years of teaching, Ms. Lara has taught in Music schools in Europe and US, teaching students of different ages and levels. She has found that each student has his/her unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring an individualized approach for each student. Most students need, more than anything, to be taught how to play their instrument in a natural, relaxed and balanced way. Further, one of the most important goals in her teaching is to challenge students to understand not only the creative process of playing/practicing their instruments, but also the art of communication through musical expression. Realizing that music is a language is the key to artistic growth.

In order to achieve this goal, students need to learn the foundation of the piano artistry, and how to practice in an effective and productive way. Recognized as a dedicated and successful teacher, Ms. Lara has judged numerous events for the Denton Music Teacher Association and has given workshops in Piano Performance at the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Presently, Ms. Lara resides in Denton, TX with her husband and their three children. She maintains an active private studio, is accompanist at St. Mark Catholic Church, teaches at New Song School of the Arts, accompanies for Denton ISD students and ensembles, and frequently performs with UNT music faculty and students.

Education and Accomplishments:

• University of Zagreb Academy of Music: Degree in Piano Performance
• CSU Fresno: Degree of Master of Arts, Piano Performance