Member Monday - Featuring: Lara Evans
Meet... Lara "Penne Arrabiata" Evans
All things Cape Harmony!
Q: How did you hear about Cape Harmony?
A: “I saw a friend post about it on Facebook a couple years ago and was super eager to audition as soon as I became old enough. Who wouldn’t want to live in a house on Cape Cod and professionally sing a cappella with nine other amazing women all summer?”
Q: What was your favorite CH memory from this summer?
A: “My favorite CH memory was probably all of the car rides, as weird as that sounds! We spend a lot of time driving to and from gigs and the drives are always filled with good music and good chats.”
Q: Did you have any goals for yourself as a musician going into this summer?
A: “My goal for this summer was to put out some arrangements I felt really proud of and I definitely ended up doing that.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to go on the Cape?
A: “I think a bunch of the girls have already said this, but I love the little beach in our neighborhood. I’ve watched the sunrise there a couple times and it’s such a peaceful way to start the day.”
Q: Have you learned anything about yourself as a group member this summer?
A: “I’ve learned that one of the most valuable ways to contribute to a group isn’t necessarily through being critical and exacting, but instead through having a calm, positive attitude that will hopefully spread to everyone and get everyone on the same page towards shared success.”
More about Lara!
Q: If you were a ghost, who/where would you haunt?
A: “Oh boy, I honestly can’t decide whether I would want to torment people or just chill and watch people carry out their lives, so that’s tough. I’d probably haunt some random café and hope to hear some crazy life stories. Kayla has a lot of those, maybe I’d haunt her!”
Q: What is something you think everyone should do or experience at least once in their lives?
A: “This is super general, but I think everyone deserves to experience an indescribable, out-of-body euphoria that comes from doing something they are passionate about. I’m personally thinking of a performance I had with a summer a cappella group called FUSE in 2015 where I came offstage happy crying and holding my group members’ hands because I felt so at peace and so very comfortable with myself in that moment. It came to me through music, but I think it can happen to anyone!”
Q: Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
A: “I don’t do much super extravagant travelling, but I go to school in New York City and I think the city itself is incredibly interesting. It’s like every single block in NYC has its own personality, and that’s a lot of excitement to deal with day to day when you walk everywhere!”
Q: What is something that is on your bucket list?
A: “Honestly, I really want to be my best friend’s maid of honor at her wedding. No, she is not planning on getting married soon, nor does she have a significant other at the moment, but I think it will be a glorious day when she starts planning her wedding and (hopefully) selects me to be her special pal for her big day!”
Q: What is your favorite quality that you got from each of your parents?
A: “My parents are pretty wonderful, so this is going to be tough because I don’t want to undersell either of them by choosing the wrong thing! My dad is very honest, straightforward and intelligent, but I’d say my favorite quality I’ve gotten from him is my ability to be analytical. When I’m doing anything from giving a friend romantic advice to making an important life decision, I find myself mapping out the situation in my mind in his very doctor-like way. My mom is the sweetest person I know– she’s loving and generous to everyone, and I think from her I’ve gained a great deal of empathy. Because of her natural tendency to understand and respect others’ unique perspectives on situations, I’ve attempted to not necessarily step into other people’s shoes, but to instead give their stories space to be heard and their emotions room to breathe before assuming I understand what they’re going through. I think that’s some kind of version of empathy.”
Q: What is your go to band or artist when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “It honestly depends on whether I’m trying to impress people or not. It also depends on the current vibe of the people I’m with. It’s tough to say, but I’d probably go for Hiatus Kaiyote or Moonchild if I’m alone and Lianne La Havas or Earth, Wind & Fire if I’m with friends.”
Q: What is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?
A: “During spring break a few years ago, my mom and I had a trip planned to visit colleges in Boston. My best friend, Missy, also had a trip planned to Boston, but I had no idea that we would be on the same exact flight until I texted her the night before and asked what time she was flying out. It was awesome! We sat next to each other and watched like two movies– or maybe one and a half before she fell asleep. Then, the first night of our trip, I was bored before bed and asked Missy if she wanted to get together for a bit. Turns out she was staying a few floors above us! We watched TV and ate snacks for a while. The whole trip was a wonderful coincidence.”
Q: Is there a social custom that you just don’t understand? A: “I’m not sure if this is a social custom, but I have NEVER understood the whole watching Super Bowl commercials thing. Why do we all of a sudden care about commercials for one day of the year? It makes no sense! To be honest though, I have never watched the Super Bowl, so maybe I’m missing something crucial.”
Q: If you could be fluent in another language, which one would you choose?
A: “I would absolutely choose German. I studied it for four years in highschool but never reached fluency because I was too scared to speak in full sentences around the kids who were already fluent in my class. Such a shame!”
Q: Can you choose a favorite Beatles song?
A: “I’d have to say “Yesterday”. I actually just finished up an arrangement of this for Cape Harmony, so I’ve been listening to this song a lot. I totally forgot how haunting and pure it is until I had it on repeat day after day! The arrangement will likely be premiered early next summer, so I hope it’s worth the wait! ;)”
Click here to view Lara's bio page!
We have been dreading this time of the summer, but we only have TWO WEEKS left of our summer concert series! So make sure you don't miss your chance to see your last Cape Harmony 2017 show!
Love, CH
