Lora Kurusa is a Hungarian classical guitarist, educator, and performance coach based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 12 years of experience performing and working within the classical music industry, she has developed a career that brings together professional performance, education, and a deep interest in the psychology of performing under pressure.

Lora has performed extensively across New Zealand and Australia as a soloist and ensemble musician. Her musical achievements have been recognised through numerous scholarships and opportunities to participate in prestigious guitar festivals and programmes throughout Australasia. At 15, she received a scholarship to study at the Elder Conservatorium’s Open Music Academy in Adelaide, and in 2020, at 17 years old, Lora was awarded First Prize in the Youth Section of the Biennial New Zealand International Classical Guitar Competition. Lora has completed a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Auckland, and at 21, she made her concerto debut performing Rodrigo’s Fantasia para un gentilhombre with the New Classics Sinfonia.

Lora is proud to be supported by two sponsors whose work is closely connected to her career as a musician. She is a sponsored artist of Domenic Roscioli, an Italian-Australian classical guitar luthier who handcrafted a beautiful custom instrument specifically for her. Her guitar, the Lora Model, was created through a close collaboration between luthier and performer and has become an important part of her artistic identity. She is also a sponsored artist of Dr. Tom Nailcare, whose specialised products support the nail care essential to classical guitar performance.

Alongside her performance career, Lora has developed a particular focus on performance coaching for musicians. Drawing from more than a decade of firsthand performance experience, she works with musicians to understand and navigate performance pressure, develop reliable performance routines, and build greater confidence and consistency on stage.

Her approach is grounded in the belief that performance confidence is not something you either have or don’t have — it is a skill that can be developed. Rather than teaching musicians to eliminate nerves, Lora helps them learn how to perform effectively while nerves are present, using practical strategies, deliberate exposure to pressure, and thoughtful reflection.

Lora is also a Suzuki-trained classical guitar teacher and maintains a private studio, working with students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners through to advanced players and Grade 8+ students. She has a strong track record of preparing students for graded examinations, with students achieving High Distinction results in their guitar exams. Her teaching combines strong technical foundations with musical expression, thoughtful practice strategies, and a personalized approach to each student’s goals. She also supports students preparing for performances, auditions, and other musical opportunities.

Whether performing on stage, teaching in the studio, or coaching musicians through performance challenges, Lora’s work centers around helping musicians become more confident, capable, and expressive performers.