Lara Downes has served as director of UC Davis ArtsBridge since 2003. An internationally-renowned concert pianist and Artist in Residence since 2004 at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis, she is strongly committed to introducing the arts music to K-12 students through her performance work, presenting a full range of outreach activities ranging from advanced master classes to introductory K-12 programs in conjunction with her concert appearances. She is the founder and artistic director of the Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition, and the founder and President of the 88 Keys Foundation, which provides pianos through private donations to K-12 public schools.