New York, NY Harp Lessons

mpetition, and I was selected candidate to perform at the 9th World Harp Congress, in Dublin, Ireland, "Focus on Youth" concerts.

My teaching experience includes harp faculty at the Boston Conservatory, Long Island City Academy of Music and Sage Music School. I am the principal harpist of New York Repertory Orchestra and a substitute harpist for "Hello Dolly", "Amelie" and "The Fantasticks" on Broadway. Symphony orchestras include Albany Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are focused on musicality, technique and good tone production.
I combine practical studies with harmony and ear training.
I am a versatile teacher and try to help each student achieve their own goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, Harp

*** Travel Equipment ***
Piano or Harp at home

*** Specialties ***
Classical genre. Methods - Russian, French, American

the distinguished Anne Adams Awards Harp Competition where she has been a main Director for fifteen years. She has served as the President of the Orange County Harp Society Chapter as well as a board member of the Bay Area Harp Society Chapter.

Alexandra received her Bachelor's Degree from DePauw University, majoring in Music and Anthropology. She also completed premedical studies at DePauw after spending her Junior year studying harp at the University of Oregon. She received her Master's Degree from Roosevelt University in Orchestral Studies, and did post graduate work at the University of Southern California in Harp Performance and Anthropology.

Alexandra's harp teachers have included: Sarah Bullen, Sally Maxwell, Edward Druzinsky, JoAnn Turovsky, Harriet Thompson Moore, Kara Bershad, Faye Seeman, Joy Andreasen, and Neva Lydiard. She has also had many mentors who have guided her life and career including: Kathleen Bride, Victor Salvi, Sally Maxwell, Patricia Masri- Fletcher, Robin Gordon- Cartier, Carrie Kourkoumelis, Dr. Craig Pare, and Karen Thielen.

Alexandra has performed in many master classes given by such internationally known harpists as Skaila Kanga, Jana Bouskova, Marie Pierre Langlamet, and Bryn Lewis. She has also organized many masterclasses and events featuring: Kathleen Bride, Sarah Bullen, Gwyneth Wentink, Patricia Masri - Fletcher, Louise Vickerman, Sivan Magen, Sasha Boldachev, Ina Zdorovetchi, Angel Padilla Crespo, Elzbieta Szmytt, Susan Allen, Gayle Levant, Stella Castelucci, Robin Gordon Cartier, Emmanuel Ceysson, Yolanda Kondonasis, and Kim Robertson.
 
Alexandra has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe as a soloist, with small ensembles, and as an orchestral harpist. She has appeared in several television shows such as General Hospital. Her playing,"Is filled with care, artistry, and mature interpretation. She is a talented musician, well rounded in her knowledge of music, and has a healthy curiosity in areas beyond music." (Donald Chen, conductor) "Everything I heard was sensitive, artistic, and had beautiful intonation." (Richard Ferrin, violist emeritus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra).

In addition to playing, Alexandra has also served as the Ambassador for Salvi Harps in North America for the past eleven years. She has given numerous masterclasses and workshops in addition to performing at National Harp Conferences and National and Regional music showcases. In her role as National Sales Manager, she helped harpists from all over the world find their dream harps, learn to care for them, and has mentored them along the way.

Apart from harp activities, Alexandra also enjoys teaching middle school, teaching piano, coaching rowing, participation in sports activities, and writing articles for various journals including: The American Harp Journal, Chicago Health Magazine, and Atlanta Health Magazine. She also enjoys being a board member on the DePauw University Alumni Board and she enjoys working on music startup companies.

*** Lesson Details ***

As a HARP teacher, all of my
students play scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises in
their lessons. I believe having a strong technical base is the foundation for
every part of playing and you can't learn without it. I will set the repertoire
for students according to their technical progress and although I may
take into consideration a student's desires to learn a certain piece, there has
to be time and they have to be ready for it. I have both short term and long
term goals for each student that involve theory, technical ability, and
repertoire: fun, orchestral and solo. Adult students still have to learn
technique, it makes things much more fun and easy six months later, I promise! Beginning students will learn how to read notes, understand basic theory, and technique in a short amount of time, so don't be scared if you have never had a music lesson before. 

I require all students make
at least half an hour a day commitment to practice. I teach mostly the Grandjany method of harp technique, however, I also use Salzedo and Renie methods
at times to fit a particular students' build and unique physical attributes as well as what the piece requires. I
have studied all techniques throughout my education and I find them all
beneficial for different reasons. I do, however, believe everyone is built
differently and the technique should help the harpist play and not hinder them
from achieving their goals. Everyone learns at a different speed, but as a
brand new musician, after six months practicing regularly, you should be able
to read music fluently, understand basic theory concepts, be able to play with
both hands and four fingers on each hand, play all of the basic scales and
arpeggios musically and be able to play at least one piece memorized.
Curriculum is based on the student's technical ability and issues and is
individually created – if you learn slower than someone else, don’t worry about
your pace. In the end, lessons are about you personally and not someone else.

As a PIANO teacher, I want students to learn about music and not just the piano. Students will learn basic music theory and basic scales as a part of their lessons. They will also occasionally choose a song of their choosing to work on chords. I do promote note reading and theory, so I am not the right teacher for students who don't want to invest time in learning the basics. These basics are the building blocks of all music and can be used for any instrument the student chooses to learn in the future.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have harps and a piano at my studio, so you do not need to bring your harp to lessons. If you don't own a harp, you can rent one for around $45/month from several sources. 

*** Specialties ***
HARP - Grandjany Technique with an incorporation of Salzedo and French school depending on the player's body type and technical difficulties. I make use of the ABRSM as well as local, national, and international competitions depending on the student's level of commitment.

PIANO - I teach basic piano for fun through an Intermediate level. Although some students choose to take CM and ABRSM exams, I do not push them. I want students to enjoy piano and music lessons.

ic with others and seeing their joy from being able play for themselves.

*** Lesson Details ***

14 years experience

2 optional recitals per year (Spring and Christmas)

Ages 4 through adult

d was selected as a national finalist in the Anne Adams Awards harp competition.

Harms received her Bachelor's of Music in Performance from Ball State University and her Master's of Music in Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder. A passionate pedagogue, she has been teaching privately for more than a decade. Through her own extensive studies with notable pedagogues, she has experienced a wide variety of instructional approaches as well as vastly different teachings styles. Harms tailors every lesson to fit each student's specific needs and wants.

at feature the harp in different settings and styles of music.

I teach harp students of all different ages and experience levels.
With beginners, we will start, of course, by learning the foundation of the technique as well as developing the ear and the rhythm. We will start learning different styles of music using excellent and very fun exercices and tunes.
With more advanced harpists, we will be able to explore different styles of music more deeply, develop the rhythm on the harp, improvise, learn different jazz standards, try arrangements of known pieces (you can request anything you like), and even include singing if you wish :)

I love to teach the harp "differently" to open more horizons.
I love to teach while having fun! I always listen to the individual needs of my students and try to create the best environment for them. I want them to feel confortable and therefore be ready to learn and share in the best conditions.