Lazara B. Santana

Lazara B. Santana is a Cuban bassoonist and educator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both musical excellence and education, shaped by a lifelong passion for performance, teaching, and community engagement.

Born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Lazara began studying the bassoon at the age of nine. Her musical promise led her to continue her training at the National School of Music and later at the University of the Arts in Havana, where she graduated with honors. During her early professional years in Cuba, she performed with leading ensembles including the Havana Lyceum Orchestra under the direction of José Antonio Méndez, the Orchestra of the Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. She also served as a Bassoon Teaching Assistant at the University of the Arts, contributing to the training of emerging musicians.

After relocating to the United States, Lazara earned a Master of Music in Orchestral Instrument Performance from Georgia State University, where she also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. While at GSU, she received several distinctions, including first prize in the Brumby Aria and Concerto Competition in 2021 and selection as featured soloist for the Southeastern Regional Concert Festival in 2022.

Lazara is currently Bassoon Adjunct Faculty at Morehouse College and Reinhardt University and previously held the same position at Georgia State University. She serves as Principal Bassoonist of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Alternate Principal Bassoon of the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed as Principal Bassoon with the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Paul Bhasin. In addition, she is a Bassoon Teaching Artist with the Atlanta Music Project and works as a Fine Arts Coach and Bassoon Specialist for the Fulton County School System.

Her performance career includes appearances as a guest soloist with the Prince George’s Philharmonic and participation in the Sphinx NAAS Wind Program hosted by the United States Navy Band. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras across the United States and collaborated on the internationally acclaimed project Mozart y Mambo with Berlin Philharmonic horn player Sarah Willis. Her work has taken her to renowned venues such as the Kennedy Center, the Konzerthaus Berlin, and the Kurhaus Theater in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Lazara is currently an Artist in Residence at Emory University, where she studies with Anthony Georgeson, Associate Principal Bassoon of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This residency will conclude in May 2026.

Beyond performance, Lazara is deeply dedicated to expanding access to music education. Having grown up in an environment with limited resources, she is passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that empower young musicians. Her work includes collaborations with the Cuban American Youth Orchestra (CAYO) in Minneapolis, projects with Minnesota Orchestra musicians, and her ongoing involvement with Gift of Music, an organization that provides instruments and music education to underserved communities.

Lazara maintains a private bassoon studio and takes great pride in her students’ accomplishments, including selection to All-State ensembles and acceptance into collegiate music programs. In 2024, she became a mother, an experience that has further shaped her perspective as both an artist and educator. While raising her son remains her most important role, she continues to advocate for women’s empowerment through pursuing meaningful and fulfilling work.

Grounded in her cultural heritage and guided by a belief in music as a transformative force, Lazara remains committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians. She looks ahead with curiosity and openness as she considers the next chapter of her artistic and professional journey.