Lara Downes
Lara Downes is among the foremost American pianists of her generation, a trailblazer both on and off the stage, whose musical roadmap seeks inspiration from the legacies of history, family and collective memory. As a chart-topping recording artist, a powerfully charismatic performer, a curator and tastemaker, Downes is recognized as a cultural visionary on the national arts scene.
Downes' forays into the broad landscape of American music have created a series of acclaimed recordings, including America Again, hailed by The Boston Globe as "a balm for a country riven by disunion."
With a fierce commitment to arts advocacy, Downes enjoys creative collaborations with a range of leading artists, including multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Rhiannon Giddens, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Simone Dinnerstein, folk icon Judy Collins, writer Adam Gopnik, and former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove. Her close partnerships with prominent composers span genres and generations, with premieres and commissions coming from Jennifer Higdon, John Corigliano, Stephen Schwartz, Paola Prestini, Clarice Assad, Michael Abels, and many others.
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Linguist and New York Times columnist John McWhorter joins pianist Lara Downs to explore the history of American music as a joyful noise, even in the toughest times. -
In a conversation with pianist Lara Downes, the New Yorker staff writer says music in America will keep evolving as long as the country keeps an open door to new people and new sounds. -
The classic spiritual conjures themes of freedom and resilience, which flow through a conversation between pianist Lara Downes and the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. -
With a song from 1759 as a mile marker, pianist Lara Downes and historian Jill Lepore examine what this land was like just before it became the United States. -
This Juneteenth, pianist Lara Downes remembers the freedom that has been hard fought and hard won. -
The king of ragtime published his hit tune 120 years ago. Pianist Lara Downes believes the piece helped shape the future of American music. -
The versatile and impassioned singer was ready to throw in the towel until she heard a message in a Nina Simone song that told her, "You're going be fine. I understand how you feel. Keep going."
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The groundbreaking choreographer, who is also the first Black director at the Metropolitan Opera, says she found self-expression through dance.
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The creative couple, who married in 2020, thrive on gratitude, community and the new approaches they've taken in the wake of the pandemic.
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The rising young baritone, searching for diversity in the opera house, tries on his composer hat by putting a Black spin on Rossini's The Barber of Seville.
