Leah Lucas

What I love about studying with Helen is that through her teaching she encourages and supports my individuality and allows me the freedom to develop my own voice through the viola. ? As a student of Ms. Callus’ I have learned the importance of both technique and musicality and how these skills will serve me as a professional violist in the future. Since coming to studying with her I have been thoroughly awed by her dedication to her students. How many teachers will spend 3 hours one-on-one discussing and demonstrating how to practice and are willing to spend their own time and resources in order to bring in amazing professional violist from all over the world for masterclasses, lessons and concerts? She exudes such a powerful energy that you cannot help but absorb. I am definitely inspired by her love for music, performing and teaching and consider myself lucky to be studying with her.

Leah Lucas graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts Music Conservatory.  Her principal teachers include Helen Callus, Li-Kuo Chang and Keith Conant and she has appeared in masterclasses with Roger Chase, Geraldine Walther, Richard Young, Alan de Veritch, Basil Vendryes and Roberto Diaz.  She has performed as principal violist with the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, CCPA Symphony and Chamber Orchestra as well as the Colorado College Summer Music Festival.  As an active freelance and chamber musician, Leah performs with the Santa Barbara Symphony and Chamber Orchestra.  Just this year Leah was awarded the Martin Kamen Fellowship in Strings from UCSB and is a current recipient of the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Joyce Fahlman Scholarship.  She is presently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Viola Performance with Helen Callus at UCSB.