Lara Heck, affectionately known as “Ms. Lara” is a professional violinist and educator specializing in violin, viola, and cello instruction. With over 12 years of teaching and performing experience with music ensembles like Strolling Strings, MiraCosta Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Festival Orchestra, Lara has dedicated her career to pursuing and fostering musical excellence.

In addition to providing private instruction, she is the Strings Director of the Encinitas Educational Foundation Band and Orchestra, and is Artist in Residence at Calavera Hills Middle School, Valley Middle School, and Carlsbad High School. Lara’s dedication to music education is matched by her passion for enriching the cultural fabric of her community. Through her work, she continues to inspire students and audiences alike, leaving a lasting impact on the local arts scene.

Raised in Carlsbad, Lara’s deep roots in the community inform her teaching philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of music as both an art form and a means of personal growth. Now residing in Vista, she shares her home with her husband, Justin, and their two cherished cats, Phoebe and Frankie.