Tessa Lark, violin on May 20, 2025 | UCSB Arts & Lectures

“She’s one hell of a fiddler.” Gramophone (U.K.)

“A violinist to watch – this Lark is most definitely on the ascent.” The Strad

Born and raised in Kentucky, versatile violinist Tessa Lark’s earliest musical influences were bluegrass and Appalachian folk. Her passion for fiddling led her well beyond these original interests, until in 2012 she won the Naumburg International Violin Competition, one of classical music’s highest honors. Since then she has pursued all facets of her wide-ranging musical talent, leading her to a Grammy nomination in 2020 for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and to her innovative 2023 release, The Stradgrass Sessions, featuring Jon Batiste, Edgar Meyer and Sierra Hull. Lark will perform a program exploring all sides of her prolific career, from Bartók to bluegrass and beyond.