Violinist

Lara Simpson

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About Lara

Electric/Acoustic Violinist. Graduate of Paul McCartney's 'The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts'. Pop, Rock, Classical, Disco, Film..
Violinist
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Lara has recorded and performed with artists including; Nile Rodgers, Rudimental, Olly Murs, Ray Quinn (X Factor), Sweet Female Attitude, DJ Spoony, Clare Teal, Gregory Porter, Richard & Adam (Britain’s Got Talent), Circa Waves, ZUZU & many more, in various venues from Abbey Road Studios to The Royal Albert Hall. Lara is a classically trained musician and graduated from Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts’ in 2016. She founded Echo Strings - a string ensemble who perform extensively at events around the UK and appear regularly on Hollyoaks, Channel 4 . She also runs Sapphire String Trio - an electric/acoustic string ensemble who perform on cruise ships. In 2019, they completed a six month contract performing on the Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship in the Caribbean. Lara is a member of critically acclaimed Electric Light Orchestra Tribute Band The ELO Show with whom she has played sold out shows across the UK and toured Europe. She also performs regularly with rock & roll band Ian Prowse & Amsterdam who have most recently supported Elvis Costello on his UK tour. She has performed with orchestras including; Ignition Orchestra, Gatecrasher Orchestra, Leeds Symphony Orchestra, Incredible 11 Hip Hop Orchestra and the Northern Session Collective. In terms of musical theatre productions, Lara has performed in shows including; Keep The Change (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), The Last 5 years (Epstein Theatre), The Silence Between Us (Unity Theatre), Bring On Tomorrow (The Barbican), and many more. Lara has provided the string arrangements for various projects including; The ELO Show, The Incredible 11 Hip Hop Orchestra, The Christians’ album ‘Sings & Strings’, and string arrangements for Carnival and Princess Cruise Lines. As well as offering private music tuition, Lara has also worked as a tutor at Pulse Music Education, Maestro Academy of Music & Aintree School of Music.

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Classical, Traditional church music, Christmas, Jazz, Easy listening, Light music, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, Top 40, Vintage, Covers, Soul, Electronic, EDM, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Folk, Ceilidh, Country, Irish rock, Folk rock, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Originals, Experimental, Rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Glam rock, Indie, Pop rock, Rock 'n' Roll
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Charity event, Concert
See all event types
Other skills:
Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Arranger, Orchestrator, Transcription, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Accompanist
See all skills

Lara's Song list

SOLO VIOLINIST REPERTOIRE
Modern Pop + RnB
(with full instrumental backing track – perfect for upbeat party / dance vibes)
Friends Anne Marie
7 Rings Ariana Grande
Break Up With You Girlfriend Ariana Grande
Needy Ariana Grande
One Last Time Ariana Grande
Sweet But Psycho Ava Max
Gecko (Overdrive) Becky Hill
Heaven On My Mind Becky Hill
Lose Control Becky Hill
Crazy In Love Beyonce
Bad Guy Billie Eilish
Treasure Bruno Mars
Uptown Funk Bruno Mars
Giant Calvin Harris
One Kiss Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
Havana Camila Cabello
My Oh My Camila Cabello
Senorita Camila Cabello
I Miss You Clean Bandit
Rather Be Clean Bandit
Rockabye Clean Bandit
Solo Clean Bandit
Stronger Clean Bandit
Symphony Clean Bandit
7 Days Craig David
Titanium David Guetta
Bills, Bills, Bills Destiny’s Child
Independent Woman Destiny’s Child
No Scrubs Destiny’s Child
Say My Name Destiny’s Child
Survivor Destiny’s Child
Say So Doja Cat
One Dance Drake
Break My Heart Dua Lipa
Don’t Start Now Dua Lipa
Hallucinate Dua Lipa
Levitating Dua Lipa
New Rules Dua Lipa
Physical Dua Lipa
Shape of You Ed Sheeran
We Got Love Ella Henderson
Adore You Harry Styles
Take You Dancing Jason Derulo
You Don’t Know Me Jax Jones, Raye
Hold My Hand Jess Glynne
Head & Heart Joel Corrie / MNEK
Bed Joel Corry
Lonely Joel Corry
Sorry Joel Corry
Despacito Justin Bieber
Can’t Stop The Feeling Justin Timberlake
Higher Love Kygo / Whitney Houston
Rain On Me Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande
Good As Hell Lizzo
Royals Lorde
Don’t Call Me Up Mabel
Rasputin Majestic
Lean On Major Lazor
Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5
Family Affair Mary J Blige
Friday Nightcrawlers
Happy Pharrell
Feels Pharrell / Katy Perry
What About Us Pink
Circles Post Malone
Wild Thoughts Rihanna
Diamonds Sam Smith
Promises Sam Smith
Cheap Thrills Sia
Came Here For Love Sigala
Just Got Paid Sigala / Ella Eyre
I Knew You Were Trouble Taylor Swift
Blinding Lights The Weeknd
Dance Monkey Tones And I
Solo Violin Repertoire – Chilled Pop
(with acoustic piano backing track – great for wedding ceremonies & relaxed background music)
Make You Feel My Love Adele
A Whole New World Aladdin
If I Ain’t Got You Alicia Keys
Moon River Andy Williams
La Vie En Rose Edith Piaf
Stand By Me Ben King
Halo Beyonce
Count On Me Bruno Mars
Just The Way You Are Bruno Mars
Marry You Bruno Mars
Everything I Do, I Do It For You Bryan Adams
A Thousand Years Christina Perri
Yellow Coldplay
Perfect Ed Sheeran
Photograph Ed Sheeran
Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran
How Long Will I Love You Ellie Goudling
Your Song Elton John
Can’t Help Falling in Love Elvis Presley
At Last Etta James
Over The Rainbow Eva Cassidy
Songbird Eva Cassidy
Say You Won’t Let Go James Arthur
All Of Me John Legend
Shallow Lady Gaga
Hallelujah Leonard Cohen
Someone You Loved Lewis Capaldi
Can You Feel The Love Tonight Lion King
Easy Lionel Richie
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
Girls Like You Maroon 5
The Climb Miley Cyrus
Stay With Me Sam Smith
Titanium Sia
Chasing Cars Snow Patrol
Edelweiss Sound of Music
Without You Usher, David Guetta
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Van Morrisson
You Raise Me Up Westlife
I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston
Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houston
Solo Violin Repertoire – Pop
(with full instrumental backing track – ideal for parties & singalongs)
Mamma Mia ABBA
Let’s Stay Together Al Green
No One Alicia Keys
You Know I’m No Good Amy Winehouse
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You Andy Williams
Respect Aretha Franklin
Say A Little Prayer Aretha Franklin
Ain’t No Sunshine Bill Withers
Just The Two Of Us Bill Withers
Is This Love Bob Marley
Livin On A Prayer Bon Jovi
End Of The Road Boys II Men
I’ll Make Love To You Boys II Men
Summer of 69 Bryan Adams
Father & Son Cat Stevens
I Want You To Want Me Cheap Trick
That’s What Friends Are For Dionne Warwick
Nine to Five Dolly Parton
One Day Like This Elbow
Summertime Ella Fitzgerland
Mr Blue Sky ELO
Tears In Heaven Eric Clapton
Misty Errol Garner
Dreams Fleetwood Mac
Fly Me To The Moon Frank Sinatra
New York, New York Frank Sinatra
My Way Frank Sinatra
Strangers In The Night Frank Sinatra
Let It Go Frozen
Careless Whisper George Michael
I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor
Hopelessly Devoted To You Grease
Sweet Child O Mine Guns n Roses
No Time To Die James Bond
I Got You (I Feel Good) James Brown
Imagine John Lennon
Don’t Stop Believing Journey
Never Too Much Luther Vandross
It Must Be Love Madness
This Love Maroon 5
(Love Is Like A) Heatwave Martha & The Vandellas
I Heard It Through The Grapevine Marvin Gaye
Sway Michael Buble
Smooth Criminal Michael Jackson
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Don’t Look Back In Anger Oasis
She’s Electric Oasis
Wonderwall Oasis
Purple Rain Prince
1999 Prince
Bohemian Rhapsody Queen
Crazy Little Thing Called Love Queen
Don’t Stop Me Now Queen
I Want To Break Free Queen
Love Of My Life Queen
We Are The Champions Queen
Who Wants To Live Forever Queen
You’ve Got A Friend In Me Randy Newman
Killing Me Softly Roberta Flack
Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder
Signed Sealed Delivered Stevie Wonder
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Eye Of The Tiger Survivor
God Only Knows The Beach Boys
Let It Be The Beatles
Easy The Commodores
Sunny Afternoon The Kinks
Roxanne The Police
My Girl The Temptations
Bittersweet Symphony The Verve
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
Classical
(unaccompanied or with track – excellent for creating a sophisticated & classy atmosphere)
Air on the G String Bach
Ave Maria Bach
Ave Verum Corpus Mozart
Canon in D major Pachelbel
Carmen, Habanera Bizet
Concerto in D minor Bach
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Mozart
Hornpipe from Water Music Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Bach
La Plus Que Lente Debussy
Meditation Massenet
Minuet in G major Beethoven
Palladio Karl Jenkins
String Quartet No.17 in F major Hayn
String Quintet in E Major Boccerini
Traumerei Schumann
Trumpet Tune Clarke
Vivaldi, Violin Concerto in A Minor Vivaldi
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I am able to provide music on classical instruments which you wouldn't expect to hear! People tend to love the LED electric violin especially as it brings a new energy to the performances.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Abbey Road Studios, Royal Albert Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool International Music Festival, Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship, Liverpool Echo Arena, the list goes on!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I love artists who fuse classical and popular music. I am a classically trained musician but have a passion for modern, pop, commercial styles. Therefore, artists such as Clean Bandit, Bond, Escala, David Garrett, Vanessa May, Lindsay Sterling really inspire me!

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I lead an orchestra in Abbey Road Studio 1 conducted by Nile Rodgers, recording a symphonic version of David Bowie's hit 'Let's Dance' for 80's Symphonic project. It was amazing!

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes I am available to be booked as a solo violinist, on acoustic or electric violin. I am also available to be booked as part of a string group of any size.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I am happy to be flexible in order to help your event runs as smoothly as possible. We can discuss changes in the run up to the event.

How much time do you need to set up?

Not long - around half an hour! Depending on the line up. Electric with backing tracks will take longer as we will have to get the levels right. Acoustic performances don't take long at all.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Yes you can choose the exact pieces you would like for your event so that you make sure it provides the perfect atmosphere for your special day. You can also request songs that aren't on the set list beforehand for a small extra price.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes we provide everything we need.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes we can! There is a fee of £20 for us to learn a new song which isn't already on our set list. We love getting new request and adding all of our clients favourites to our repertoire!

Lara's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£150
Up to 1 hour£350
Up to 2 hours£450
Up to 3 hours£550

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£50
Lara
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
10 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Lara's Reviews

From Encore customers:

AG
Adam G
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

Lara was incredible. Her talent is amazing and with just herself and her violin she kept us all entertained. Would strongly recommend to anybody looking for a violinist. Thank you Lara. From Trafalgar Scientific

MH
Melanie H
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Lara was very professional. Would highly recommend to book Lara. She played at our wedding at Holdsworth House. Made our day even more magical - played my request of Carl Davis Pride and Prejudice theme tune as my wedding procession tune which I was absolutely over the moon with. Had lots of feedback from guests also how much they enjoyed it . Thank you Lara for making our day extra special - Mel and John x

BU
Ben U
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Lara was fantastic from start to finish. She created a great atmosphere for all of our guests and learned three new requested tracks for us, performing them brilliantly. I would strongly recommend hiring Lara for your big day, you will not be disappointed! Her prices are much lower than other’s however this is not reflected in her performance or professionalism… she should charge more! We’d have been happy to pay double/triple 😊. Thanks Lara, you helped make our day! xxx

NT
Naomi T
2 years ago
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5 out of 5

Lara was a beautifully talented musician who played perfectly to our audience. Couldn't recommend her enough and will definitely be using again!

Read all 8 reviews

From other customers:

CW
Charlie W
5 years ago, for a Concert in Northgate
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5 out of 5

Thanks for this – and all your hard work. It was beautiful thank you.

MG
Mike G
5 years ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Mykita dance school
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5 out of 5

Wonderful performance from Sapphire string trio. Created a bubbly and vibrant atmosphere for my 60th Birthday party playing all my favourite classics

Read all 7 reviews