Lucas Harris is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a performer, conductor, and educator. Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1979, Harris grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to classical music from a young age. His father was a professional cellist, and his mother was a music teacher, which meant that music was always a part of his life. Harris began his musical education at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he studied the guitar and lute. He later went on to study at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance. During his time at the university, Harris became interested in early music and began to explore the lute and other historical instruments. After completing his undergraduate degree, Harris went on to study at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in early music performance. While in Switzerland, Harris had the opportunity to study with some of the world's leading early music specialists, including Hopkinson Smith and Crawford Young. Upon completing his studies, Harris returned to Canada and began to establish himself as a performer and conductor. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and versatile musician, and he was soon in demand as a soloist and ensemble player. Harris has performed with some of the world's leading early music ensembles, including Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Les Voix Baroques, and the Toronto Consort. One of the highlights of Harris's career was his performance as the soloist in the world premiere of a new concerto for lute and orchestra by Canadian composer Andrew Downing. The concerto, which was commissioned by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, was performed to critical acclaim and cemented Harris's reputation as one of the world's leading lute players. In addition to his work as a performer, Harris is also an accomplished conductor and educator. He has conducted numerous ensembles, including the Toronto Consort and the University of Toronto Collegium Musicum, and he has taught at several institutions, including the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Harris has also been recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts' Virginia Parker Prize, which is awarded annually to a young Canadian musician who has demonstrated outstanding talent and promise. The prize provided Harris with the opportunity to perform a solo recital at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, which was broadcast nationally on CBC Radio. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Harris is also a passionate advocate for early music. He has written extensively on the subject and has given lectures and workshops on early music performance practice. Harris is also a founding member of the Toronto Continuo Collective, a group of musicians dedicated to exploring the art of continuo playing. Today, Harris continues to perform, conduct, and teach, and he remains one of the most respected and sought-after classical music artists in Canada and beyond. His dedication to his craft and his passion for early music have made him a beloved figure in the classical music world, and his contributions to the art form will undoubtedly continue to be felt for many years to come.

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