Can you tell us a bit about your background with the harp?
My musical training started with piano when I was five, but I began harp lessons at the age of ten. I remember being completely mesmerized by its sound, and before long I couldn't picture myself pursuing any other career. Since then, I've had the opportunity to study at Interlochen Arts Academy, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and now the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where I'm entering my senior year. I've also participated in summer festivals such as Chautauqua and Eastern Music Festival, and performed in a variety of solo and ensemble settings. I’ve been fortunate to study with incredible teachers, including Joan Holland, Yolanda Kondonassis, and Katherine Siochi, who have each played a meaningful role in shaping me as a musician and in encouraging me to think more broadly about how I can advocate for the arts. Looking back, a lot has changed since I first began, and there have certainly been challenges along the way, but if anything, those experiences have only strengthened my commitment to the harp.
Where are you currently studying?
I am currently entering my senior year at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under the wonderful Katherine Siochi!
How do you envision the harp being part of your life?
I see the harp remaining at the center of my life for many years to come. It has always been such a powerful force because of its ability to speak to people without words. As I move forward, I hope to continue performing in orchestras because of the incredibly special shared experience they create, and the unique sense of connection they create between musicians and audiences. Even in a large concert hall, there's something incredibly intimate about bringing hundreds of people together to hear the same piece of music, while each person experiences and interprets it in their own way. At the same time, I'm excited to explore more performance opportunities in educational spaces, community settings, and healthcare environments. I don't see the harp as an instrument that's limited to the concert hall, but rather one that can adapt to many different settings and connect with people wherever they are.
What are some of your harp-related goals?
One of my biggest goals is to build a career that combines orchestral performance, teaching, and community engagement. I love performing, and I hope to continue growing as both an orchestral and solo harpist, but I also want to help change the way people think about the instrument. I think the harp is often seen as something that's meant to stay on a concert stage or in a recital hall. I'd love to be part of the growing movement that brings the harp into more personal spaces, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, where people who might never have the opportunity to attend a concert can still experience live music. That's actually something I've been exploring this year at SFCM, through a project that looks at creating partnerships between music conservatories and teaching hospitals. The goal is to create opportunities for musicians to work in healthcare settings while making live music more accessible to patients as well as their care providers. I'm also passionate about making the harp feel more approachable. It's sometimes seen as a niche instrument that's only part of the classical world, and I want to challenge that by performing in community spaces, exploring more with jazz, and working on transcriptions, like my recent transcription of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major, that introduce people to the instrument in new ways.
How does this award impact you?
Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me. The financial support is incredibly helpful, but what makes this award especially meaningful is knowing that others believe in the goals I'm working toward. Having this support and encouragement gives me even more confidence to keep pursuing the work I'm passionate about!
Anything else you'd like to share?
I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to perform at an American Harp Society event in the near future!
