LARA SOMOGYI
Lara Somogyi is a Los Angeles-based harpist and contemporary classical performer-composer, and is known for her work in forging a new artistic identity for the harp. Born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii and New York, Lara is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, and was awarded as an honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) for her contributions to her field.

With an unwavering dedication to sculpting a world of sonic exploration, Lara has seamlessly integrated electronics and pedal effects with her deeply classical roots, redefining the artistic possibilities of the harp. Cultivating an individual sound - she brings a fresh, passionate, modern sonority to the instrument. 

Years of sculpting her sound and developing her set of contemporary expressions on the harp led her to write compositions for solo harp and electronics.  Finding company and comfort in vast sonic expanses and exploration ushered her to a renewed clarity of expression and identity with the instrument.  Her debut full-length album ! released under Decca Records’ Mercury KX, stands as a testament to Lara's innovative approach, seamlessly blending traditional harp with electronics and pedal effects. Praised by BBC 6’s Mary Anne Hobbs as “an artist who takes the harp into contemporary worlds,” Somogyi’s album was met with acclaim by Pitchfork for its innovation, and showcases Lara's mastery in pushing the boundaries of the harp's expressive capabilities. Currently Lara just signed her second record with Decca Records and its innovative imprint MercuryKX.

2024 sees the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Better Angels: The Gospel According To Tammy Faye, the latest documentary from Academy Award–nominated director Dana Adam Shapiro with an original soundtrack spanning 4 episodes scored by Lara and composing partner Cyrus Reynolds. Producers include Elton John and VICE.

Beyond her role as a composer-performer, Lara's sonic footprint resonates across a myriad of acclaimed records including in Bonobo’s Grammy Nominated record “Fragments,” and seamlessly traverses genres in recording sessions for film and TV. Notably she played a pivotal role in exploring harp textures and effects for the score to Blue Planet II by Hans Zimmer featuring Radiohead with her signature use of electronics and harp heavily noted on the score.

She also features heavily on scores for Disney’s The Lion King, The Color Purple, Green Book, Haunted Mansion, Netflix’s Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte, King Richard, When They See Us, Space Jam 2, Mrs. America, Tully, The Simpsons, Nat Geo's Being the Queen,  Netflix’s Animals, Black Godfather, Charlie’s Angels, Spike Lee’s film with Oscar-nominated score Da 5 Bloods, Marvel film Birds of Prey, Coming 2 America. She also features prominently on the Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere where they brought her on to record with her unique approach to the way the harp is used and heard. She can be heard all over the score sculpting the sonic landscape with harp.

Her collaboration also extends to the realm of live performances, where Lara's playing has graced stages alongside luminaries like Anderson. Paak, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R. Camila Cabello, Ashanti, Rufus Wainwright, Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman and more.

In every note she plays and every composition she crafts, Lara Somogyi propels the harp into uncharted territories, creating a symphony that seamlessly marries tradition and innovation. Her musical odyssey continues to captivate audiences, making her a trailblazer in the contemporary classical landscape.