Pictured: Tessa Lark. Provided Photo.

Tessa Lark is from Richmond, Kentucky, in the Outer Bluegrass region of the state, where rolling foothills of Kentucky bluegrass rise and fall indefinitely before crashing into the Appalachian mountains. Her roots to the state’s culture and music run deep—although Lark has established herself as one of the preeminent classical violinists of her generation, having been nominated for a Grammy award in 2020, she has remained faithful to her bluegrass origins.

Lark is bringing her unique musicality to Sarasota on April 8, for a performance presented by the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. The program will feature original works by Lark that combine her classical training with her Appalachian background in a style she refers to as “Stradgrass”.

“In the classical world, there have been these incredible, virtuosic violinists that have stretched the technical capabilities of artists. I love showcasing these violinists like Eugene Ysaye, I have a couple of sonatas by him in the program,” says Lark. “I also have some music of my own that’s inspired by Ysaye and Bach as well as my upbringing in Kentucky. My dad still plays the banjo to this day and I started with bluegrass and mandolin a couple of years before I ever played violin.”

Lark notes that although she studied classical music, bluegrass, folk and jazz were always a part of what she played growing up and are foundational to who she is as a musician today.

“I love putting fiddle tunes and other forms of Americana music on programs, because I think that they’re all interconnected,” says Lark. “I’m grateful to have grown up around bluegrass and folk music, because that is music that is designed for all levels of musicians and audiences to be able to relate to immediately. I remember being nine years old in a literal music circle not knowing what I’m doing and the person next to me is 65 and has been playing for decades, but we’re sitting there playing the exact same tune. That sense of community has influenced me a lot with classical music.”

April 8 at 7:30pm, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 South Euclid Ave, Sarasota.

Pictured: Tessa Lark. Provided Photo.

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