Lara Biancalana (Denmark and Italy) is an Italian cellist from Rome with an international educational background and an already impressive artistic career. She began her studies at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, continued as a scholarship student at the renowned Yehudi Menuhin School in the United Kingdom, and later studied at the Stauffer Center for Strings in Cremona. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Rome, she earned a Master’s degree at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with Andreas Brantelid and has now been admitted to the Academy’s prestigious Soloist Programme.
As both a soloist and chamber musician, Lara has performed at a number of leading concert venues and festivals, including Teatro alla Scala, Teatro La Fenice, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Heidelberger Frühling, and the Copenhagen Summer Festival. Since 2021, she has been a member of LGT Young Soloists, a collaboration that has brought her to some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls, including the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Tonhalle in Zurich.
Lara has received numerous scholarships and awards from international institutions and competitions, including the Audience Prize at the Anna Kull Cello Competition, as well as prizes at Premio Crescendo and the Dinu Lipatti International Competition. Chamber music plays a central role in her musical life, and she is currently a member of Trio Lingo, which recently received third prize at the Rued Langgaard Competition.
In her letter of motivation, Lara describes a strong connection to the Scandinavian music scene after several years of study and professional activity in Denmark. She highlights the openness, trust, and sense of community within Nordic musical culture as important sources of inspiration and views Papillon as a unique opportunity to further develop both her artistry and her professional network. With curiosity, dedication, and a strong desire to contribute to the community, she hopes to play an active role in the programme’s creative environment.