Violinist Lara St. John's full-length documentary, entitled "Dear Lara," will receive its World Premiere this week at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2026. The film explores the sexual abuse prevalent in music schools, institutions, and orchestras around the world.

"The film includes my story as well as the stories of many others about the scourge of abuse in classical music, whether it's sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, institutional complicity, orchestral experiences, or even the opera world," Lara told The Violin Channel.

The documentary's creation was a result of Lara's own experience at the Curtis Institute of Music in 1985, when her then 78–year–old violin teacher, Jascha Brodsky, raped her at age 14. In July of 2019, Lara told the Philadelphia Inquirer, which led to a public and personal acknowledgment and apology from Curtis.

Since then, Lara has become an advocate for many in the industry, and hundreds of women, and a few men, have contacted her, sharing their experiences with abuse, assault, and harassment in the classical music industry.

Watch the trailer below:

 

"When I came out in 2019 with my own story, I thought that was going to be the end of it," Lara said. "But then, I heard from so many people that I realized I needed to get those stories out there. I thought the best way to do it would be to collect everything in a film, and now six and a half years later, here I go to Santa Barbara to see the completed project."

For the documentary, Lara interviewed several of those brave enough to speak out, with many agreeing to be identified after initially wanting to remain anonymous.

"We're breaking a few stories that have not been in the press before," she told us. "I think, for the general public (not necessarily just those in classical music), it's going to be a huge surprise at how prevalent this is in our field."

When asked why she wants to see change in the industry, Lara said, “It is unfair, the incredible amount of brain drain of women who have been abused out of the profession. It's so disheartening, and there are so many incredibly talented women and former children out there who no longer play their instrument, who no longer even listen to music. That's just wrong."

Dear Lara was directed by St. John herself, produced by Patrick Hamm, and edited by Christie Herring. "I hope everyone appreciates the incredible amount that so many people put into this film to make a change for the better," Lara added. "And I hope this film can help children, women, and even people not yet born. I don't ever want this to happen to anyone."

The project was partially funded by a foundation and individual support, but received its primary funding from St. John herself, following the sale of her own Manhattan apartment.

"I used to have a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side," she said. "I don't have that anymore, but I have a full-length documentary film that's about to premiere. I really needed to bring the truth to light because that's the only way we're going to effect change. As some say, 'sunlight is the best disinfectant.'"

Lara hopes for the film to be made available to as many screens as possible. After a film festival circuit, she hopes to see it picked up by a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu.

 

At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2026, Dear Lara will be shown on Friday, February 6, at 5:20 PM. There are additional screenings on February 8 and February 9, and more details are available here.