Education
Lara is a Saxophone Tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where there is a thriving department of emerging saxophonists. Saxophone students at RWCMD can study with Gerard McChrystal, Lara James and John Cooper. Past students have gone on to study saxophone at postgraduate level or entered the freelance profession, while others have chosen the music teaching profession.
Congratulations are in order for saxophonist Lindsay Hammer who became Postgraduate Assistant in the Woodwind Department for the academic year '07-'08; also to the Fantasie Saxophone Quartet (all are saxophonists from the second year) who recently won the RWCMD Woodwind Chamber Music Competition, and to Jacob Shaw (alto saxophone) who won the Hebbel Woodwind Prize, competing against students in every instrumental category of the woodwind department in every college year group. Jacob (also tenor saxophonist with the Fantasie Saxophone Quartet) has been accepted to study in the USA with Professor Otis Murphy next academic year through the college exchange programme. If you are interested in studying at RWCMD visit the college web site by clicking on the pictures below.
In addition to teaching at the RWCMD, Lara is appointed Saxophone Tutor for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Junior Department and Access Studies. Recent student success among the Junior Department saxophonists include our congratulations to Katie, who will go on to further study at Birmingham Conservatoire. An article/interview with Lara and Katie is planned for publication in a forthcoming edition of 'Music Teacher' magazine. We are also pleased to hear that Jack, another JMAS saxophonist, recently won the South Glamorgan Festival Music Competition Intermediate Woodwind class.
Lara has broad experience in the field of music education with students of all ages and abilities, from beginner to postgraduate level. She is often asked to tutor sectional rehearsals for wind orchestras and ensembles including the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales, regional youth wind bands, and is a visiting instructor on UK based youth music courses.
She also offers private tuition and ensemble coaching, and is in demand as an adjudicator for youth music competitions and auditions.
In addition to practical instrumental music education, Lara is a music lecturer. She has lectured at the British Saxophone Congress, recently coached chamber music modules at Cardiff University, and can lecture on a wide range of matters relating to the saxophone. Lara has also lectured in a variety of other subject modules including World Music, Music in Context and Music Performance Practice.
If you would like to book Lara to tutor saxophonists on a course, to give lectures or adjudicate, or if you are an advanced student and would like to enquire about lessons- please click here to contact Lara using the contact form.