Eli Lara

Regarded for thoughtful interpretations, compelling execution, and depth of
understanding, cellist Eli Lara has been praised for creating “a sense of complete awe.”

As an ensemble and solo musician, she has performed across North America, South
America, Asia, and Europe. Lara is a founding member of Trio Séléné with clarinetist
Mingzhe Wang and pianist Ilya Poletaev; the trio’s recording of works for clarinet, cello,
and piano by Fauré, Zemlinsky and Spanish composer Fernando Buide (commissioned by
Séléné) is scheduled for release in 2017. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music,
Lara has worked with many composers including Buide, Krzystof Penderecki, Caroline
Shaw, Christopher Stark, and Julia Wolfe. She has performed and/or premiered new
works in numerous concerts and festivals including at the Percussive Arts Society
International Convention, Berklee College of Music, Mizzou International Composers
Festival, and Summergarden at the New York Museum of Modern Art. In Fall 2016, Dr.
Lara joined the University of Missouri School of Music faculty where she also performs
with the Esterhazy String Quartet. She previously taught at Austin Peay State University.
She graduated from Yale University where she received a B.A. in molecular biophysics
& biochemistry and an M.M. in cello performance. A recipient of the C.V. Starr Doctoral
Fellowship, she completed her D.M.A. at The Juilliard School. Her primary teachers
include Joel Krosnick, Aldo Parisot, Ole Akahoshi, and Stephen Kates. Lara performed
as co-principal of the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, guest principal of the Paducah
Symphony, and in the Nashville Opera Orchestra; while in the Nashville area, she also
worked frequently as a studio recording musician. Highlights include recording with
Willie Nelson as well as video games for Insomniac, Oculus Rift, and Electronic Arts
including Madden 16. Lara has appeared on NPR, at major venues such as New York's
Alice Tully Hall and London's Wigmore Hall and at festivals including Birdfoot, Kneisel
Hall, Sarasota, Banff, and Festival Pablo Casals (France).