Lara Brooks is a soprano acclaimed for her versatile artistry across a range of musical genres, from opera and musical theatre, to jazz and contemporary commercial music. Known for her captivating stage presence, Lara’s performances span classical masterpieces, Broadway hits, and newly commissioned works. She has portrayed a range of leading roles, including Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock – The Musical (in which she was awarded Best Supporting Actress from the BroadwayWorld Awards 2023), Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Tytania in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, and Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Lara has also performed as the soprano soloist for Bach’s Cantata 147, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Fauré’s Requiem.

Her dedication to expanding the canon of contemporary American music, particularly works by female composers, has made her a sought-after lecturer and recitalist. Lara’s recent performances include recitals featuring the music of Lori Laitman, Gwyneth Walker, and Goldrich & Heisler, which she has presented at national and international venues. Along with her husband, saxophonist Dr. Robert Brooks, she co-founded The Sax & Serenade Duo, a groundbreaking collaboration blending classical/CCM voice with jazz tenor saxophone. In 2023, the Duo performed the world premiere of I Shall Be Coming Back to You by Dr. Griffin Candey at the World Saxophone Congress in Spain and the North American premiere in 2024 at Timashev Recital Hall. The Duo is in the preproduction phase of producing a CD of new compositions by Dr. Griffin Candey, expected release 2026. Additionally, Sax & Serenade performances at The Mozarthaus in Vienna highlighted an eclectic program of American musical theatre, art song, and jazz.

Lara’s recent engagements include performing with Nathan Gunn and the JAM Orchestra in Chicago, as well as a performance with the Jordan Vanhemert Jazz Combo on tour in Madrid. She has held engagements with The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, Zanesville Museum of Art, Jam Orchestra, Opera Kansas, Carpe Diem String Quartet, Detroit Opera House, Southern Great Lakes Symphony, Greensboro Light Opera, The Forum Theatre Wichita, CCT, The Ohio State Chorale, Edge Productions, CCT, The William Penn's 125th National Convention, and various concerts throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

In addition to her performance career, Lara is an accomplished stage director and music director. This summer will be her Illinois directorial debut with Mean Girls, and this Fall, Lara will be directing Anastasia with Lyric Theatre @ Illinois. She has worked extensively in musical theatre and opera, with directing and music directing credits that include Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore, War Paint, Sweets by Kate, Hansel & Gretel, Frog & Toad, H.M.S. Pinafore, Patience, and Disney’s Newsies, among many others. Her work as music director and orchestra conductor for CCT’s Newsies and The Happy Elf earned her multiple BroadwayWorld Regional Awards for Best Musical Direction and Orchestration (2022, 2023).

Dr. Brooks is an Assistant Professor of Voice at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she teaches a diverse studio of voice students across classical, musical theatre, jazz, and CCM genres. She is also a certified Estill Master Trainer®, specializing in functional voice pedagogy. Her expertise in Estill Voice Training has been instrumental in helping the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign become an Estill Educational Affiliate. In addition to her teaching at Illinois, Lara actively presents workshops, clinics, & masterclasses s at various institutions across North America & Europe, helping voice teachers and singers refine their technique and expand their vocal possibilities. Prior to her role at The University ofIllinois, she taught at Washburn University, where she was the Director of Opera Studies, and at The Ohio State University, where she served as Lecturer of Voice and Director of Opera.

She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Music Education Choral, cum laude, from Central Michigan University, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Studies, Voice from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In addition to being a certified Estill Master Trainer®, Lara is a member of NATS, the National Opera Association, the Jazz Education Network, Pi Kappa Lambda, ILMEA, and Sigma Alpha Iota. Dr. Brooks also serves as a Vice-President for the Illinois Chapter of the National Society of Arts & Letters, and was a 2023 NATS Intern for NATS prestigious program that pairs expert and recognized master teachers with early-career members of NATS.