Lara Aisha Ali is a 19-year-old Nigerian-German classical flautist. She was raised in Northampton and is now studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Lara’s interest in music sprouted from an upbringing surrounded by jazz/afro jazz as well as classical music. She became very involved in her county’s music service, playing with the NCBF platinum award-winning Northamptonshire Youth Concert Band and Big band, and getting the chance to perform in the Royal Albert Hall. She received the Northamptonshire Nigel Cobb Fellowship Award in 2021 and the following year had the opportunity to play with the Royal Marines Band service at the RNCM. She enjoys collaborating with young musicians across the country, having taken part in NYO Inspire as well as having been selected to play in Birmingham’s LEAP Youth ensemble. Lara’s experiences performing locally in flute choir and flute duets sparked an interest in smaller ensemble playing, but her first year of study has developed her love for chamber music, her ensembles including Two Flutes and Piano, Woodwind Trio, Flute and Guitar, and Flute and Harp. She has also discovered an interest in writing her own flute studies as well as combining her passions for painting and visuals with her music-making.