University

I’m an adjunct faculty member at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, where I currently teach one DMA student and give occasional guest lectures.

Private Lessons

Most of my private lessons and coachings I do as a freelancer from my home in Toronto.  I enjoy teaching people at all different levels, from rank beginner to pre-professional. I do believe in the cause of historically-informed performance, and the virtue of gathering information from original sources. But I believe just as strongly that every musician has a unique path, and I see myself as a coach who can guide and accellerate that journey. I want to engage my students where their own current abilities and musical interests are leading them right now.

I really enjoy doing coachings with singers and/or period instrumentalists working with Renaissance & Baroque repertoire. I especially love to work with basso continuo players and the singers / instrumentalists they accompany.

With private lute lessons, I work with both “thumb-in” and “thumb-over” right-hand techniques. I teach both Renaissance (6-10 courses) and Baroque lutes (11-13 courses) as well as theorbo, archlute, and early guitar.

I am also able to do some basic setup repairs for students, including refretting, respacing of strings at nut/bridge, peg lubrication, string calculating & changing, and gluing cracks. My former teacher Patrick O’Brien taught me well that sometimes the most effective thing any teacher can do for their student is to help them get their instrument set up in a way that fits their hands comfortably and allows more playing enjoyment.

My basic rate is $80 CAD for a 90-minute lesson (though please talk to me if this is beyond your budget).  I don’t normally see students regularly, and I find that these longer lessons help me make sure that students leave my studio with all of their most pressing questions answered and lots of material to work on until we can meet again.

I’m also available for online lessons (usually on Zoom, and have also used Skype, Facebook, and Facetime). Please contact me for details.

Summer Festivals

For some years I’ve been on the faculty of the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute (TBSI), an intensive 2-week workshop that covers many different topics in performance practice. I work there as the lute class teacher (lute classes are usually between 3-7 participants) but also as a coach for vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles. Please scroll down to see some testimonials from TBSI alums. Note that the Tafelmusik student instrument bank has an excellent student theorbo and Baroque guitar which is available for select students to borrow (see Instruments & Gear page). Thanks to a generous donor, for some time Tafelmusik has been able to offer a tuition scholarship to one student each year.

I’ve also been on faculty at the the Tafelmusik Winter Institute (TWI), a week-long Baroque orchestra academy for more advanced students which is organized around a different orchestral repertoire theme each year. At a typical TWI I will work with around two pre-professional lute participants, and I’ve served as a coach for the student-led orchestras.

Since 2002 I’ve been on the faculty of the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute (BPI), another 2-week intensive workshop which is approaching its 50th anniversary in 2021. Oberlin Conservatory, though located in the middle of Ohio cornfields, boasts amazing facilities and has several lutes in their student instrument collection, including a Kaiser theorbo and Voboam guitar by Michael Schreiner. I’m able to offer one full tuition scholarship to a deserving student each year who hasn’t been to BPI before and is able to attend both weeks.

I’m also been a part of the faculty of the Canadian Renaissance Music Summer School since its launch in 2018. I work with singers, provide some leadership for the solo singing module of the course, and lead a special “Lute Day.” Starting in 2024 I’ll be joining the CRMSS Pacific course in Burnaby, British Columbia as well as the original location in London, Ontario.

I’ve also taught in the past at these summer workshops:

International Baroque Institute at Longy (2008 & 2009 - lute instructor, coach, lecturer)

Amherst Early Music Festival (2006 - lute instructor & opera accompanist)

Lute Society of America Summer Seminar @ Amherst Early Music (2003 - course director & instructor)

Madison Early Music Festival (2005)

Vancouver Early Music Baroque Vocal Program (2013-2018 - vocal coach/accompanist, lecturer)

Other Guest Teaching

I’ve done masterclasses/lectures/residencies at various institutions, including these:

Indiana University, Oberlin Conservatory, University of Bogotà, University of Western Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier, University of Windsor, Pomona College, University of Toronto, Mount Allison University.

I was an instructor for the New York Continuo Collective from 1999-2002.  This is a hands-on workshop dedicated to seventeenth century continuo accompaniment that gives regular performances.  When I moved to Toronto, I founded and co-directed a sister organization called the Toronto Continuo Collective which gave regular concerts from around 2005-2010 and still reassembles for occasional special projects.

Here are a few testimonials from my students at the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute:

My time at the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute 2023 was a life-changing experience, thanks in no small part to Lucas Harris’s guidance. His instruction on theorbo was surprisingly well-rounded given the time constraints of the two-week event, encompassing technique, repertoire, and style that laid the groundwork for my success as an absolute beginner on period instruments. Additionally, his insights on the role of plucked instruments in 17th century music, lyrical analysis, and the etiquette of accompaniment gave me a context that I carried with me throughout TBSI and will continue to serve me as a player, composer, and educator. Lucas is also super nice, funny, and truly a pleasure to hang out with.

- Ross Boyd, classical guitarist

TBSI and the amazing teacher Lucas Harris are for sure the starting point of my professional lute performing career. Perfectly organized, TBSI is the best summer institute a musician can attend to discover early music or to improve its interpretation. Through master classes, chamber music and orchestra rehearsals the musicians of Tafelmusik Orchestra, one of the best early music ensembles in North America, will guide you into period instruments playing, chamber music and orchestra. I had really great moments there and I’d wish for every musician to be able to take part in TBSI.

- Michel Angers, professional lutenist

Lucas Harris is not only an internationally renowned superstar as a performer, he is also equally superb as a teacher, which is a very rare feat indeed. I had the great pleasure and good fortune of being able to study the baroque guitar at TBSI with Lucas, and he went out of his way to help me at my level of playing, which he did (and does) for all of the students who come to study with him - he takes the time to tailor his teaching for exactly what each and every student needs at the time, and at whatever stage of development they have reached. Lucas also went above and beyond in helping me with the hands-on logistics of setting up my guitar so that it is physically more comfortable for me to play. Lucas is a first-rate musician and teacher, and an exceptional human being.

- Hilary Brown, guitarist & cellist (Symphony Nova Scotia)

TBSI was an incredible two weeks of lectures, concerts, lessons, and classes, and the lute class was one of the main highlights of the experience. Lucas Harris is one of the most understanding and insightful teachers I've had the pleasure of learning from, and I will continue to benefit from both his feedback and his example for years to come. His ability to
adapt to different levels of ability, learning styles, and personalities combined with his outstanding musicianship made for a stimulating learning environment and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in our masterclasses.

- Fiona Thistle, lute major at WLU

Attending the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute was a profoundly rewarding experience for me. It was a chance to immerse in the study of Baroque music and performance with some of the leading musicians in the field. The TBSI faculty was not only inspiring in their world-class music making and professionalism, but also in their genuine passion for teaching and sharing their invaluable knowledge. Lucas Harris is a remarkable musician and a patient teacher with a unique ability to create a stimulating learning atmosphere for students of diverse musical background and experience.  I heartily recommend TBSI to all dedicated and Baroque-curious musicians.

- Arash Noori, professional lutenist

A classical guitar player and teacher, I also have a serious interest in period plucked music. Participating in TBSI was the perfect goal to get started on theorbo. Where the Institute was baptism by fire the first time (2012), the following year I already felt a lot more grounded. None of that would have been possible without the excellent coachings of the Tafelmusik members in general, but in particular of those by Lucas Harris, who is most inspiring and encouraging always trying to get the best out of each individual student at his or her own level. I highly recommend this summer course. It definitely has a depth and intensity unequal to many other courses I have attended! 

- Wilma van Berkel, guitar professor and lutemaker

TBSI was an amazing learning experience and a great opportunity to be immersed in Baroque music for two weeks. The wide variety of performance opportunities (including a private lesson, masterclasses, and a plethora of small and large ensembles) makes this intensive program unique and rewarding. Lucas Harris is an exceptional and inspiring instructor with a wide knowledge base on Baroque musical style and plucked string technique. I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to any student interested in Baroque performance practise. I hope to attend again in the future.

 - Emily Shaw, guitarist & luthier

TBSI was a wonderful experience: an extensive 2 weeks of learning and playing music with talented musicians. I appreciated the friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere as well as the excellent faculty and staff, including Lucas Harris who led my continuo and lute/baroque guitar classes. I enjoyed very much all the lectures, Baroque dance classes, orchestra playing, the lute/guitar masterclass, and my favourite part: playing in chamber ensembles with Lucas Harris. Wholeheartedly I would recommend this course to anyone interested in Baroque music.

 - Magdalena Tominska, professional lutenist & guitar teacher

TBSI was one of the most rewarding experiences of my musical education. Having the opportunity to work with so many distinguished artists and scholars allowed me not only to expand my musical skills, but also gave me tremendous insight into the theory and practice of Baroque music. Lucas Harris is a superlative musician and teacher, whose knowledge and patience guaranteed that I was a far better musician at the end of those two weeks than I was at the beginning. Those who want an intense and immersive musical experience need look no further than TBSI.

- Graham Freeman, Ph.D, writer and scholar

Participating in TBSI allowed me to play lute in solo, duo, chamber and orchestral ensembles.  Lucas Harris is an excellent teacher who combines rigorous lute technique with a broad understanding of the cultural context in which music was played, composed and heard in the early Baroque era.  TBSI is a challenging and rewarding program with excellent teachers and copious resources. There are many opportunities to play, learn repertoire and acquaint yourself with performance practice. 

 - Benjamin Stein, musicologist & performer

The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute is a rigorous, intense, challenging and worthwhile workshop which attracts talented musicians from all over the world and offers many opportunities to study and perform in the cosmopolitan capital city of Toronto.  Tafelmusik itself is an established organization of world class performing musicians.  Lucas Harris does an excellent job running the lute/guitar program there and is responsive to the participant's individual needs.  I highly recommend the program to anyone with an interest in performing and studying early music. 

 - David Speir, lutenist

Very intensive and fun, at TBSI I learned a tremendous amount about continuo playing from Lucas Harris and other instructors.  A wide range of opportunities from including one-on-one lessons, working with individual singers to chamber ensembles to orchestras, after two weeks my continuo playing dramatically improved. I plan to attend again.

 - Professor Gary Goertz

I had a great experience at TBSI. The course was well organized, and the environment was positive. I was very impressed with the faculty; they were outstanding musicians/teachers and very approachable people. I would recommend TBSI to anyone interested in Baroque performance practice.

 - Rogan Bogaert

TBSI was a truly transformative experience for me as a musician. Lucas is not only masterful as a multifaceted continuo player, but also as a soloist, director, and pedagogue. Through chamber coachings and masterclasses, I learned about the scholarly preparation and practical musicianship that goes into the work of the Tafelmusik musicians. My continuo playing, musical ear, and openness to different approaches all developed dramatically, reaching a deeper place at the end of the Institute. 

 -  Kevin Sherwin, guitarist

TBSI is the best place to go whether you are a beginner or a professional and want to expand more on Baroque knowledge. I am a beginner theorbist, and TBSI showed me what is expected from a theorbist. Before this I was not really sure what I was supposed to do, but now I surely know! As a theorbist you get to play in an orchestra, chamber ensembles, and with a singer whom you accompany. In two weeks we get a taste of everything that is expected from a continuo player. I was also impressed with the notable organization of the faculty and support from teachers who are very passionate and proud about their careers. I will definitely attend again.

 - Luciano Saavedra, guitarist