Jeffrey Noel Lastrapes

About Jeffrey

Cellist Jeffrey Noel Lastrapes has performed and taught in Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and in every region of the U.S. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School, where he studied with Orlando Cole and Harvey Shapiro, respectively.

TexASTA (American String Teachers Association) named him the 2025 Phyllis Young Outstanding Studio Teacher of the Year. He has recorded extensively, including the complete Bach Cello Suites (YouTube). He can also be heard on Centaur and New World Records.

Lastrapes is a frequent master class presenter and lecturer at prestigious universities and conservatories such as the Shanghai Conservatory, Longy School of Music, Lawrence University, University of Montenegro, St. Andrews University (Scotland), Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts (Hong Kong SAR), and many others. He also presented a lecture at the 2025 European String Teachers Association conference in the Netherlands titled "The Bow of Breath" which discusses the physical and communicative skills of string players.

In 2009, Lastrapes gave his New York Debut at Merkin Hall to critical acclaim. "An excellent cellist with consummate technical mastery, Lastrapes is a seasoned performer whose strong, outgoing personality lets him shape the music on a big canvas with bold colors and contours." ~ Edith Eisler, New York Concert Review

Lastrapes is the solo cellist for the upcoming documentary film All Eyes on Hope, which is about the journey of Jason Romero, a blind ultra-marathoner who ran across the U.S. Lastrapes, who is visually impaired, strives to inform and inspire those with disabilities. He has completed four marathons, is a ten-handicap golfer, and continues to explore the globe with and without his cello, a Francisco Ruggieri dated 1684.

Lastrapes resides in Lubbock, Texas, with his wife, flutist Susanna Self, and their two dogs, Joey and Lily.

www.JeffreyLastrapes.net

Every person has something important to say musically. I am here to facilitate that through the cello. I hold students accountable for every sound that comes from the instrument while encouraging them to grow and express themselves clearly and sincerely. Interlochen is amazing! Let's get busy!