Graduating Artist Feature: Lucas Lauprasert

When Lucas’s parents brought home a viola and asked him if he wanted to be a musician, he replied, “I already am.”

Since then, he has studied with Ms. Katie Shaner at the Music School of Delaware and Ms. Shelley Beard at Settlement Music School, becoming Principal Viola of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and attending the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in South Bend Indiana with this Settlement Advanced Study String Quartet. he was also part of Musicopia and Project 440. “I joined PMAY during the pandemic and it was really helpful as I needed an outlet to stay motivated in my music making.”

Reflecting back on the college application and audition process, he felt it went by too quickly. “In my senior year, everything was moving quickly. It was overwhelming and exhausting at times. However, I was able to make it through with the help of my viola teacher and PMAY. They not only prepared me for my auditions but also supported and encouraged me along the way. They made sure that I performed my audition repertoire enough times to feel comfortable. I really like how PMAY stressed the importance of time management and being organized. Before my senior year, we planned my audition dates carefully so that it was smooth going from one audition to another.”

Lucas is very excited to see more diversity in the classical music world and is really encouraged to pursue a career in this field. He believes that classical music should celebrate everyone’s ideas, differences and uniqueness. “It’s heading in a direction with many different avenues with something very special to offer. Classical music has become more relevant and representative of a wider audience. I’ve made so many friends from all my travels to summer camps such as Sphinx Performance Academy, Boston University Tanglewood Institute and Equity Arc’s National Pathways Festival.” Lucas will be attending the Peabody Institute of Music at Johns Hopkins to major in music on a full scholarship in the fall of 2024.