Dear Lara
| Dear Lara | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lara St. John |
| Produced by | Patrick Hamm |
| Edited by | Christie Herring |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Countries | Canada United States |
| Language | English |
Dear Lara is a 2026 documentary film written and directed by violinist Lara St. John on the subject of sexual abuse at classical music conservatories and symphony orchestras.[1][2] It will premiere as an entry at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2026.[3]
Synopsis
Narrated by St. John, the film describes her own experience of having been raped as a minor by her instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music and then introduces the stories of additional victims of abuse from other institutions in North America and Europe.[4] Each of the accounts addresses the institutional complicity that has made it extremely difficult to implement lasting cultural change at any of the institutions in question.[5] Interviewees include survivors and subject matter experts.
Interviewees
- Lusiana Lukman, pianist
- Frank Powdermaker, fiancée of cellist Robie Brown
- Lisamarie Vanna, violinist
- Mascha van Sloten, violinist
- Heather Bird, double bassist
- Zeneba Bowers, violinist
- Katherine Needleman, oboist
- Samuel Schultz, opera singer
- Scott St. John, violinist
- Anne Midgette, journalist
- Sammy Sussman, journalist
- Okke Westdorp, conservatory administrator
- Marci Hamilton, founder of ChildUSA
References
- ^ "Documentary by violinist Lara St. John to premiere at Santa Barbara Festival". The Strad. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Lara St. John is exposing sexual abuse in classical music with a new doc". CBC Arts. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Santa Barbara Film Festival reveals full lineup, with honors for Kate Hudson and a special tribute to Julian Schnabel". Gold Derby. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Lara St. John had her own story about sexual abuse in classical music". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Santa Barbara Film Festival to Premiere Lara St. John's Documentary on Sexual Abuse in Classical Music". The Violin Channel. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.