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Lara Urrutia

Senior Lecturer, piano
Conservatory of Music

About Lara Urrutia

Dr. Lara Urrutia, a distinguished pianist, debuted as a soloist with an orchestra at age eleven. Since then, she has performed with symphony orchestras across Southern California and internationally in Chile, Mexico, and Austria. Her extensive career includes hundreds of performances at venues like the Los Angeles Music Center and the Kodak Theater. Dr. Urrutia has collaborated with esteemed musicians, including members of major orchestras such as the Chicago, Los Angeles, and Berlin Philharmonics. 

An active advocate for new music, she premiered Eric Ewazen’s work at the 2017 International Trombone Festival and has recorded notable works, including Gershwin’s *Rhapsody in Blue*. Her recordings have been featured on-air alongside live performances, including Copland’s *Appalachian Spring*.

Dr. Urrutia earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from USC’s Thornton School of Music and currently serves as head of the collaborative piano department at the University of Redlands Conservatory of Music, where she has been a faculty member since 2007. A recipient of the University’s Outstanding Teaching award, she is also a skilled violinist, accordionist, and advocate for charitable causes.

Education

  • B.M., M.M., University of Redlands

  • D.M.A., University of Southern California

Professional Background

Recordings

  • In a Symphonic Mood, Gold Label, 2000 
  • Hymns to Forgotten Moons: Music of Arnold Schoenberg and Anthony Suter, Centaur Entertainment, 2010 

Performances and Presentations

  • Recitals with Gene Pokorny, principal tuba, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2024, 2013-2016, 2007-11)
  • An Evening of Song with Sonja Krenek, soprano (2024)
  • Recital with Patricio Consentino, principal tuba, National Symphony Orchestra (2024)
  • Lecture Recital: The Chamber Music of Mel Bonis (2023)
  • The Fall of the Leafe: 16th and 17th Century English and Italian Keyboard Works (2022)
  • Recital with Brett Hodge, principal horn, Omaha Symphony (2022)
  • Danse Macabre with Stephanie Lovell, piano (2021)
  • The Violin and Piano Works of Schubert, Debussy, and Stravinsky (2020)
  • German Chamber Music: The Violin and Piano Sonatas of Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann (2019)
  • Recital with Demarre McGill, principal flute, Seattle Symphony (2019)
  • Recital with Ian Bousfield, trombone, Vienna Philharmonic (2019)
  • An Afternoon of Art Song: Music of Debussy, Wolf, Duparc, Jake Heggie, and Libby Larsen (2018)
  • Music by Women Festival. Mississippi University for Women (2017)
  • Recitals with Michael Mulcahy, trombone, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2016, 2013, 2011, 2010)
  • Recital with Sergio Carolino, principal tuba, Porto Symphony Orchestra (2015)
  • Recital with Arturo Delmoni, concertmaster, New York City Ballet Orchestra (2014)
  • Recitals with Timothy Higgins, principal trombone, San Francisco Symphony (2014, 2013, 2011)
  • Recital with Christoph Hartmann, principal oboe, Berlin Philharmonic (2013)
  • Recital with Micky Wrobleski, principal tuba, Beijing Symphony (2013)
  • For a complete list of presentations and performances, please see curriculum vitae at laraurrutia.com 

Accompanying Coordinating and Performing

  • Southwest Horn Workshop (2022)
  • International Trombone Festival (2017)
  • Arturo Delmoni Masterclass (2014)
  • Ransom Wilson Masterclass (2014)
  • International Double Reed Society Conference (2013)
  • Southwestern Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference (2013)
  • David Weiss Masterclass (2012)
  • Pokorny Low Brass Seminar (2008-2017) 

Areas of Expertise

  • Solo & Collaborative Piano
  • Chamber Music
  • Early Music & Performance Practice

Awards and service

  • 2023 USC Thornton School of Music Phi Kappa Lambda Doctoral Award 
  • 2023 USC Thornton School of Music Keyboard Collaborative Arts Departmental Award 
  • 2020 USC Thornton School of Music Early Music Ensemble Award
  • 2019 USC Thornton School of Music Doctoral Student Representative
  • 2014 University of Redlands College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award
  • 2008 University of Redlands College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Award
  • 2004 United States Achievement Academy, All-American Scholar Award
  • 1999 Child Help USA Volunteer of the Year Award
  • 1997 & 1998 International Society of Poets Editor’s Choice Award in Poetry
  • 1997 Seventeen Magazine Volunteer Award
  • 1996 KNX News Radio Citizen Award