Welcome to Autumn
October 2016
Dear BACAHS Members and Friends,
Welcome new members and greetings veterans! We hope you have recently joined or renewed your chapter membership for 2016-2017. If not yet, please consider doing so at our upcoming Fall Kickoff event, featuring Sarah Voynow’s Jazz Trio (see information below). We’re offering a special rate for those paying for dues and tickets at the event. Don’t miss Suki Russack’s Member Spotlight on Sarah below.
We have exciting Chapter News, introducing guidelines for the bi-annual Yvonne La Mothe Schwager Competition for Young Harpists, announcing our new member-partnership with Center for New Music in San Francisco, and spreading the word about a newly forming BACAHS Harp Ensemble. Member News needs your news! See who is sharing their harp doings with us. Did someone say National Harp Day?
Our Coming Events feature brims with calendar items you’ll want to plan for. Save the date! for our ever popular Winter Potluck January 15, as Jennifer Ellis introduces to us her Admiral Launch Duo. And Classified Ads is ready for your visit as you hunt for your next harp!
Now that your appetite is duly whetted, please read on!
Happy Harping!
—Alice Yothers and Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Voynow by Suki Russack
As I was reading Sarah Voynow’s biography, I thought, how could one person have done so much with so many different kinds of music? Unbeknownst to many of us who know her, she is an incredibly accomplished harpist, able to perform in all types of classical and popular music traditions.
Sarah began playing the harp at age six and by 11 was honing her ear training and improvisation while playing afternoon tea at Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho, accepting requests at the hum of a tune.
After receiving BA, MA and DMA degrees from Juilliard, she started touring and recording with the likes of clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, and Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, and playing and recording with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, among other orchestras of note, as well as various Broadway shows. Her accolades include first prize at the Lyon and Healy International Jazz/Pop Harp Competition in 1990.
When I asked Sarah about her experience with jazz improvisation, she told me that it is necessary to get beyond the “fear factor”. The more she plays with other great jazz musicians, the better she understands jazz harmony. She explained that an understanding of music theory is necessary in order to be able to improvise within popular music genres. She noted that to get around the complexities of some jazz harmony, the use of enharmonics, careful voicing of chords and, when necessary, playing the melodic line can help, instead of trying to play all the harmonies. As a result, a harpist needs an almost instinctive knowledge of the mechanics of the harp pedals in order to play the harmonic progressions with any facility. Wow, that’s an earful!
Sarah’s upcoming concert, October 23, will serve to introduce or further acquaint musicians and music lovers with jazz on the harp and the music of harpist/composer Dorothy Ashby (1930-1986). Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly, as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone. She also contributed music and arrangements for many pop music greats, including Stevie Wonder. Sarah became inspired by Ashby’s music while doing research for her doctoral dissertation at Juilliard on the History of Jazz Performance. Although Sarah never met Ashby, she had the opportunity to interview Ashby’s husband to get a flavor for the soul of this groundbreaking musician.
Sarah’s jazz trio includes notable Bay Area musicians Pat Klobas on bass and David Rokeach on drums/percussion. Tickets are available at centerfornewmusic.com. For a small taste of Sarah’s work, you can listen to two tunes from the album titled “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” on Soundcloud.
CHAPTER NEWS:
Students up to age 25, start preparing for the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competion for Young Harpists to be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The Winners’ Recital will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in conjunction with the 2017 International Harp Festival. Madeline Jarzembak, new Principal Harp with the Santa Cruz Symphony, will be the featured performer in addition to the student competition winners. Repertoire, Guidelines and Registration are available at https://bacharp.org/competitions/
Benefit for BACAHS members: BACAHS joined the Center for New Music (C4NM) at 55 Taylor Street in San Francisco. C4NM offers rehearsal, meeting and performance space to its members at reduced rates. If you are interested in learning more about renting the space, contact Susie Spiwak at bacahs@gmail.com.
A harp ensemble for BACAHS members is in the first stages of formation and slated to begin this fall. Natalie Cox and Janice Oretga will be providing leadership and repertoire suitable for both pedal and lever harps. The group will meet once each month. Several likely locations in San Francisco are being considered that can accommodate easy load in and close parking. A few lever harps may be available for borrowing. Details such as the day of the week and nominal fee are still being worked out.
Anyone who is interested in joining, please contact Natalie Cox at musicians@lmi.net or 510-778-0737. Please let us know if you have preferred day(s) of the week and if you will bring your own harp or will need a loaner.
MEMBER NEWS:
Welcome New Members in 2016-17! Sarah Goss, Safina Kajani, Jasmine Low, Sarah Thompson
Erica Messer presented a proposal to the AHS to advocate for a new national holiday: National Harp Day. They will be voting on whether to proceed with the proposal next week.
Erica is also asking for donations of harps to her public school harp program at North Shoreview Montessori School in San Mateo. As the Artist in Residence, she has received eight harp donations so far, but is eager to grow the program. Contact her at harpisteri@gmail.com for more information or to donate.
North Shoreview Montessori ensemble will perform at Filoli Holiday Traditions November 29 at 11:30 am-12 noon. Erica’s private students will perform at Hillsdale Mall (Nordstrom Court) in San Mateo, December 3, at 5pm-6pm.
Destiny Muhammad was busy in September with performances at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and sharing music with Kaiser Permanente Bay Area Health Professionals at the San Ramon Marriott. Her October is gearing up performing at UCSF, the Heart and Soul Center of Light in Oakland, the BayView Grand Opening and an interview by Melannie Green of station KPOO. destinymuhammadproject.com
Joffria Whitfield will be performing as Principal Harp with the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in a program called Sound Worlds, featuring music by Antonin Dvorak, Alberto Ginastera, John Knowles Paine and Martin Rokeach. November 6, 2:00 p.m., Hoffman Theater, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek—more info and November 12, 2:00 p.m., El Campanil Theater, Antioch—more info
Check out our upcoming events here.
And don’t forget the classified ads here.
BACAHS Fall Kick off Concert, Sunday, October 23!
BACAHS member, acclaimed harpist Sarah Voynow, is excited to share with all her love of jazz and Dorothy Ashby, jazz harpist and composer (1930-1986). Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone.
Sarah and her trio of top-notch jazz musicians from San Francisco, including Pat Klobas on bass and Dave Rokeach on drums/percussion, will entertain, educate, and regale you with standards and popular music and insight into how did we get here–from classical to jazz harp! The concert takes place on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 4pm. A reception will follow. Purchase your tickets. Bring your family and friends–members and their guests get the same great discounted price!
Read Sarah’s impressive bio:
Sarah Voynow began playing the harp growing up in Hawaii and began formal music studies three years later at 9 when her family moved to Ogden, Utah. Two years later Sarah honed her ear training and improvisation on a practical level and learned to rely on customers humming favorite standards while playing for the tea hour afterschool at the Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho. Later on, she received Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Music of Arts degrees at The Juilliard School under Susann McDonald and later, Nancy Allen. Sarah toured and recorded with clarinetist, Richard Stoltzman and Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd in addition to playing and recording with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Philharmonic, The Detroit Symphony, chamber music with Columbia Artist Management and various Broadway shows. She has won several awards including 1st prize at the Lyon and Healy International Jazz/Pop Harp Competition in 1990.
As a freelancer, she currently performs with the San Francisco Ballet, television, motion picture and gaming recordings at Skywalker Sound and the San Francisco Opera. She is soloist on recordings with The SF Gay Men’s Chorus, San Francisco Girls and Boys Chorus and music for Grace Cathedral’s labyrinth walk with Musica Divina. Sarah has performed with Jon Faddis and The Stanford Jazz Orchestra, Ray Charles, hip hop band The Coup, SF Punk Rock Orchestra, Art Garfunkel, Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Barry Manilow, and other popular artists. Sarah can also be heard on the Advanced Brain Technologies records utilizing classical Music For Babies, which won several awards including Parent’s Magazine Choice Award and improvising a harp solo with bassist Ken Miller to the film soundtrack, Two Lovers.
The harpist has taught at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music in the Preparatory and Extension Divisions in addition to maintaining her private teaching practice in San Francisco.
Come out and support your BAC member harpists. Tickets available at www.centerfornewmusic.com.
See you at the concert!
Fall Is in the Air
September, 2016
Dear BACAHS Members and Friends,
Fall is coming fast upon us as we begin our 2016-2017 Harp Year, following such a busy past year, culminating in achieving the status of American Harp Society Chapter of the Year.
Thank you to all the members who participated in our chapter planning meeting in August and offered great ideas and feedback. Stay tuned as more of these come to fruition. In the meantime, the chapter and its membership are chock-a-block with performances and events. Check out our member news and coming events sections and don’t miss the Member Spotlight, featuring Diana Rowan.
First on the docket in October (date TBA) is our Fall Kickoff Event with Sarah Voynow and her Jazz Trio at the Center for New Music in San Francisco. Then before you know it, it will be time for our ever popular annual Winter Potluck in January, where we’ll be entertained by Jennifer Ellis and her Admiral Launch Duo. February will feature master classes by Susann McDonald, in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Chapter, and finally in May we will present our fourth bi-annual Yvonne La Mothe Schwager Harp Competition, with Winners’ Recital to follow the next week.
Stay tuned as we continue to announce more details and added events as the year unfolds. And as always . . .
Happy Harping!
Alice Yothers and Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
DIANA ROWAN by Suki Russack
In light of Diana Rowan’s upcoming Virtual Harp Summit taking place September 14 through 20, I sat down with her to explore her genesis with the harp and her inspiration for the first ever on-line summit.
Diana has been a world traveler since she first left her native Ireland at age five. Her father was in the Irish diplomatic service and took postings all over the world, bringing his family with him.
Diana lived with a Greek family on the island of Cyprus during her high school years. Here she was exposed to the music of Greece, Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East. She was trained in classical piano, eventually earning a Master’s in Piano Performance, but became entranced by the harp after hearing a concert of Kitka, an Eastern European women’s vocal ensemble, accompanied by Ensemble Alcatraz, which featured harp and other medieval instruments. She told one of her piano students how much she was moved by the concert and discovered that the student owned a tiny William Rees harp. Diana borrowed the harp and began to play. From there, Diana says, “Voila! An obsession was born”.
As Diana became more proficient on the harp, she realized that in order to master this complex instrument and produce the sounds that she dreamed of hearing, she had to have better harp technique. She heard Alice Giles perform in concert at an American Harp Society conference and knew that Alice had the tools that she needed to progress. She spent intensive periods over two years with Alice, taking daily lessons, discovering the intertwining connection between harp interpretation and technique. Without technique, there would be no vehicle for art, and without art, all the technique in the world wouldn’t give her the creative expression she desired.
Along with her study came the discovery that the harp is present in almost all kinds of world music. It forms a bridge between different musical cultures and eras. In fact, this subject became the basis for her Doctoral thesis in Music Theory, which she completed at the National Academy of Music, Bulgaria, in 2014.
When I asked Diana how she had come upon the idea for a Virtual Harp Summit (VHS), which showcases more than 20 master harpists from all over the world, she said that several reasons were the inspiration. First, it was an organic outgrowth of her extensive on-line teaching. Also, she has given many concert tours all over the world, and gathered students from remote areas who want to study harp but who are living in places where there are no opportunities for fulfilling their harp dreams. Having attended and taught at many harp conferences and seeing how rich and valuable such conferences can be for those who can attend, Diana wanted to bring a harp conference to harpists wherever they may live. Because Diana has given concerts all over the world, she has met many wonderful harpists who aren’t able to travel to the US, but deserve a broader audience.
VHS is a first-of-its-kind online harp festival. Its theme, “Playing with Expression and Creativity” offers to spark each harpist’s individual creative impulse. VHS takes place from September 14-20 and is free. Participants must register online to attend (please click the link below) and is available for subscription holders after those dates.
Best of luck, Diana, for a great summit and thank you for your generous offering to the harp community.
Links:
Virtual Harp Summit registration: http://virtualharpsummit.com
Facebook Virtual Harp Summit Page: https://www.facebook.com/virtualharpsummit
Diana’s harp performance page: http://dianarowan.com
Diana’s harp teaching page: http://brightknowledgeacademy.com
BACHAS wins Chapter of the Year for 2015-16 from American Harp Society: Many of you already know BACAHS was selected as Chapter of the Year for 2015-2016 by the Executive Committee of the American Harp Society! (full story here)
The Bay Area Chapter was recognized at the AHS Annual Membership Meeting in Atlanta at the National Conference. Alice Yothers, BACAHS Board President, accepted the award check in the amount of $300.00 from AHS president Ann Yeung. The money will be used for future programming for the Chapter. BACAHS’ winning application will be included as an example on the AHS website.
Thank you to all the chapter members who helped to make last year so rich and vibrant.
A harp ensemble for BACAHS members is in the first stages of formation and slated to begin this fall. Natalie Cox and Janice Oretga will be providing leadership and repertoire suitable for both pedal and lever harps. The group will meet once each month. Several locations likely in San Francisco are being considered that can accommodate easy load in and close parking. A few lever harps may be available for borrowing. Details such as the day of the week, and nominal fee are still being worked out.
Anyone who is interested in joining please contact Natalie Cox at musicians@lmi.net or 510-778-0737. Please let us know if you have preferred day(s) of the week and if you will bring your own harp or be in need of a loaner.
Dates and locations are now announced for the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competion for Young Harpists and Winners’ Recital. The Competition will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Winners’ Recital will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the San Damiano Retreat in conjunction with the 2017 International Harp Festival. Madeline Jarzembak, new Principal Harp with the Santa Cruz Symphony will be the featured performer in addition to the student competition winners. Repertoire, Guidelines and Registration are available at https://bacharp.org/competitions/
New Benefit for BACAHS members: BACAHS joined the Center for New Music (C4NM) at 55 Taylor Street in San Francisco. C4NM offers rehearsal, meeting and performance space to its members at reduced rates. If you are interested in learning more about renting the space contact Susie Spiwak at bacahs@gmail.com.
MEMBER NEWS
Karen Gottlieb and Laura Simpson will present a very entertaining and informative program: A Harpist’s Tips for Freelancing Success at the fall kickoff event for SVCAHS on Sunday September 11th. Check out the calendar for more details.
Dominique Piana gave a lecture-recital at the AHS national harp conference in Atlanta entitled Romantic Miniatures, demonstrating the evolution of the romantic “fragment” from expression piece to impressionistic sketch. In the Exhibits Hall, she was approached by Rebecca Squire, who had commissioned Thomas Duffy, a Yale Professor of Composition, to write a holiday-inspired work for her harp ensemble through an AHS grant. It became Three Sparkles for the Season, three short pieces for 3-part harp ensemble and 2-part treble choir (boys or girls or female choir). The words are secular, which allows the work to be performed anywhere, including public schools. Dominique will make this music available to any interested harp ensemble. The harp parts are intermediate in difficulty.
Last May, Dominique premiered a song cycle based on folk poetry for tenor & harp by David Finko, entitled Passages in the Wind, with her son Greg Allen Friedman, at a concert with the Pleasanton Chamber Players at the Firehouse Arts Center. She also performed the Golubev Quintet with the ensemble. The Finko set was published in time for the conference, along with other works for voice & harp by Schumann, Dvorák, and Oberthür. Among other new publications are Dizi works for flute & harp, more Krumpholtz Sonatas, and also romantic solo works by Hasselmans, Holý, Oberthür, Posse, Schuëcker and Steibelt. The American composer Paul Creston’s Lydian Song is now back in print, and particular care has been given to PASTELS, a new collection of transcriptions of descriptive music, from Beethoven to Sibelius.
Diana Rowan announces her first-ever Virtual Harp Summit, running September 14-20. It’s a harp conference-festival that comes straight to your living room. Learn directly from 25+ master harpists, listen to gorgeous harp performances, meet other harpists worldwide, all in your PJs! Virtual Harp Summit is 100% online and FREE.
Register here to attend: http://virtualharpsummit.com
Still basking in the success of her first ever 2016 International Harp Festival, Jessica Siegel asks that we Save the Date for the 2017 International Harp Festival, planned for May 25-28, 2017, at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA. And be sure to read Gaylene Suganuma’s report on the 2016 festival in this newsletter.
Diana Stork invites you to check this newsletter’s Events section for details on performances planned by her Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble in October and December. She also invites us in December to walk the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral with music by Portia Diwa and Diana, and with Diana, later, at Community Congregational Church in Tiburon.
Lynn Taffin spent the summer collaborating with harpists and other musicians and composers from Paris, Zurich and even closer to home in Oregon for upcoming concert projects.
She asks that we look in the upcoming American Harp Society Journal for an article by her student Audrey Kost. Audrey chronicled her science project of building a laser harp. What a great way to merge her passion for music and science!
IN MEMORIAM
Barbara Imhoff
Harpist, Barbara Imhoff, passed away on June 23, 2016 after a three year struggle to overcome ovarian cancer.
Barbara was a classical harpist who played with numerous Bay Area orchestras including the Napa Symphony, Vallejo Symphony and Oakland Symphony. In the early 1990’s, Barbara branched out to compose music for the harp. She created a fusion of world sounds using harp and other instruments. The pieces weave sinuous melodies, lush textures and hypnotic rhythms together for an original sound. Barbara and her bands produced many CDs, the most recent of which is The Bindi Society.
Barbara was a dedicated teacher who worked at Harps Etc and her home in Montclair. She is survived by her Mother, Evelyn Smart of Carmel, CA.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, October 1st, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please contact Jessica Siegel at harpsetc@pacbell.net for further information.
Elvira C. Cassell of Mill Valley, CA died on December 23, 2015. She was 94 years old. Elvira was a lover of the harp and friend to many harpists. She was a student of Marcel Grandjany and, according to her husband, Andrew, derived great pleasure from playing the beautiful instrument. Our sympathies go out to Elvira’s family.
Check out our upcoming events here.
And don’t forget the classified ads here.
Sumer Is Icumen In!
June 2016
Dear BACAHS Members and Friends,
It’s soon to be summer and things are winding down for the harp year. Don’t forget about us, though, and continue to send us any harp happenings that we can post to the calendar and share with the harp community.
We’re coming off of a fantastic year which culminated in our being named “American Harp Society Chapter of the Year for 2015-2016”! We’ll be officially recognized at the 2016 AHS National Conference this month in Atlanta, Georgia. If you’re coming, please join us at the Annual Membership Meeting on June 30 and show your support as BACAHS is awarded a $300 check to be used for future programming.
If you missed our first ever Spring Social in May, you shouldn’t have! In addition to great food and fellowship, we enjoyed a recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer, who played for us pieces she’s prepared for the USA International Harp Competition in Bloomington, IN that starts tomorrow, June 8. Naomi will chronicle her experience on her blog for those who want updates. Good luck Naomi!
Our last event of the season will be a recital by Yuying Chen, winner of the 2015 Israel Harp Contest — the most prestigious competition in the world — coming up June 14. And there are auditor positions still available for the Master Class she will be presenting the following day in Hillsborough. Please see coming events for ticket details for both events.
Our Member Spotlight this month features Ellis Schuman, much lauded teacher, composer and arranger of harp and piano music, and longtime associate of our chapter, whose works have been published and widely performed for many years.
Thank you to all who helped make this an exemplary year. And consider joining us on the board as we plan for the next start-studded season!
Until then, have a great summer!
—Happy Harping,
Alice Yothers and Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ellis Schuman—reprinted with permission
Versatility has highlighted the long music career of Ellis Schuman. Now retired from teaching, he continues to create a legacy of original compositions and harp arrangements, many of which are published and widely performed. Major performances of his chamber music and choral works were included in concerts at the Tanglewood Music Center, WNYC-FM in New York City and by the New Century Chamber Orchestra of San Francisco.
Born in Chicago in 1931, he received his early education there and continued his studies earning degrees in music with honors from Roosevelt University and Ohio University. He studied composition with the Czech composer Karel Bareslav Jirak and the noted Hungarian composer Ernst von Dohnanyi. Advanced piano study included master classes with Rudolph Ganz, Maurice Dumesnil and Rosalyn Tureck. His harp teachers include Marie Ludwig Giordano of Chicago, Mildred Dilling at the University of California, Los Angeles and Lynne Wainwright Palmer of Seattle.
Ellis Schuman was harpist/pianist with the Musica Viva Quintet of Chicago and harpsichordist with the touring Baroque Repertory Ensemble. The first active Chicago Chapter of the American Harp Society was organized by Mr. Schuman and elected him its president in 1969. The chapter sponsored student recitals and enjoyed a large membership. The chapter soon honored the eminent and active Chicago area harp teachers Marie Ludwig Giordano and Alberto Salvi on a special program of tribute at Lyon & Healy.
Mr. Schuman developed the first music major course of study for the Chicago Board of Education and was chairman of the Advanced Placement Music Committee for the Gifted Program. He was recipient of the Kate Maremont Teacher Award in 1978 for his innovative accomplishments. He returned to Roosevelt University for several years as lecturer in harp at the prestigious Chicago College of Performing Arts.
In 1984 Mr. Schuman moved to San Francisco and became associated with the Music Center of San Francisco as a teacher of harp, piano and composition. He was elected Vice President of the Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society soon after his move.
Ellis Schuman’s life and work was the subject of an interview in the Summer 2005 issue of the American Harp Journal. In 2008 he received the Harold Washington Professional Achievement Alumni Award presented by Roosevelt University. His Prelude for the Harp is scheduled for publication by the Lyra Music Company. Editions are distributed by Vanderbilt Music Company of Bloomington, Indiana.
MEET THE ARTIST: YuYing Chen
Ms. Chen will perform at the Peninsula JCC on June 14 (see Upcoming Events for details), is the Principal Harpist of the Shanghai Philharmonic and was born in Shanghai, China. She started playing piano at three and at the age of 9 she began her studies with Li Duo Zhang at the middle school affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music and later with Professor Xiao Jie Zhang (Jason Chang) at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She also took classes with Willi Postma, Isabelle Perrin, Carrol McLaughlin, Xavier de Maistre, Jana Bouskova, Helga Stork and Elisabeth Fontan-Binoche during her study at the Conservatory. In 2005 she was featured on the “Focus on Youth” program at World Harp Congress in Dublin. YuYing was the winner of the ‘Concours International de Harpe 2006, an International Harp competition hosted at the Ville de Lille in France as well as the First Prize Winner of the 19th Israel International Harp Contest.
Read the interview with Yuying Chen in Harp Column.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On June 14 and 15, the Northern California harp community is honored to welcome Yuying Chen, 2015 First Prize Winner of the most prestigious harp competition in the world, the 19th Israel International Harp Contest. Ms. Chen will perform a recital at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City and master class in a private home in Hillsborough. These performances are presented by the Bay Area and Silicon Valley Chapters of the American Harp Society.
Attend one or both events to experience internationally acclaimed harp performance and teaching. Space is limited so sign up now. Participation in the master class is already sold out although there is still room for auditors. Join us for this special one-night-only concert, followed by a “meet the artist” dessert reception.
Date: Tuesday, June 14
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Peninsula Jewish Community Center Board Room
Fee: $20 PJCC and AHS Members, $25
Public Code: 47268
To purchase tickets, visit the PJCC Welcome Center, www.pjcc.org/arts, or call 650.378.2703.
Master Class with Yuying Chen on Wednesday, June 15, 6pm-8:30pm at a private home in Hillsborough. Open to auditors—participant registrations are sold out. For more information and to register visit coming events at bacharp.org.
MEMBER NEWS
Welcome new member Amelia Romano, who takes the path less travelled. Her newest album, “New Perspectives,” is a testament to that. This album offers a fresh take on the electric harp, featuring her compositions and arrangements of Latin and contemporary music, drawing from her time living in Cape Town, South Africa, her passion for social and environmental justice, and the people and events that inspire her creative process. The album includes several tracks with vocals and features over a dozen Bay Area musicians.
For a Compact Disc of “New Perspectives” click here, and you’ll be directed to PayPal. Include your address in the note portion and you’ll receive the CD in the mail.
CALENDAR
Carla Fabris is performing Harp/Flute/Soprano concert if you’d like to check it out!
Tuesday, June 7th, 8 pm @ San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Sunday, June 12th, 5 pm @ Westside Art House, 540 Balboa at 7th Avenue, San Francisco
Program includes: Ariel’s Hail – Kaija Saariaho;** Belief – Elliott James-Ginn Encarnación; Elegie – Jules Massenet;**une ariette oubliée – Elliott James-Ginn Encarnación; A Gershwin Sampler – George & Ira Gershwin
**world premieres
Save the Date—November 11-13, 2016: The Camac Harp Festival will be in Pasadena, CA. All events are free subject to registration. For more information download the flyer. To reserve your space, contact Carolyn Sykes, owner, Pacific Harps; 626-791-6262; carolyn@pacificharps.com; www.pacificharps.com
MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all who have joined the chapter or renewed your membership in BACAHS. Please join or renew now for 2016-2017. The membership year begins September 1 and goes through August 2016. Although you may be a member of the American Harp Society at the National level, we hope you will join the Bay Area Chapter as well. The Chapter serves to meet the need to share information, promote and foster an appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument in the Bay Area, and further harp education at all levels. Your support enables continued sponsorship of harp programs and master classes. Visit BACHARP.org/membership. The Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society is a 501(c)3 corporation and, as such, both membership dues and all donations are tax-deductible, to the full extent allowed by law.
Breaking News–BACAHS selected as AHS 2015-2016 Chapter of the Year!
There is exciting news to report:! BACAHS has been selected as Chapter of the Year for 2015-2016 by the Executive Committee of the American Harp Society! (full story here) Ann Yeung, President AHS, shared with Alice Yothers, President BACAHS:
“Congratulations – the Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society, Inc. has been selected as 2015-2016 Chapter of the Year! The Executive Committee was so impressed by this year’s applicants and inspired by the wonderful AHS chapter activities presented. The Dallas Chapter and the KC Lyra Chapter also received Honorable Mentions this year.
We would like to recognize the Bay Area Chapter at our Annual Membership Meeting in Atlanta at the National Conference and also to present a chapter representative with the award check…The Grand Opening & Welcome Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 4-5 PM in the Emory Conference Center.
We also plan to put the BACAHS’ winning application as an example in the Members Only section of the website.
Congratulations again…
Thank you again for your dedication and commitment to the harp and the AHS. All that you, the officers, and chapter members are doing is greatly appreciated and valued deeply.”
Thank you to all who helped achieve this honor for our chapter and to the Executive Committee for this recognition. If you plan to be in Atlanta for the National Conference, please do attend the Membership Meeting and support the chapter. We look forward to another great year in 2016-17. If you would like to become more involved in our dynamic organization and help contribute to its continued vitality, please drop us a note at bacahs@gmail.com.
BACAHS Spring Social and Recital–Member Spotlight–Member News and More!
Dear BACAHS Members and Friends,
Here’s another newsletter brimming with harp happenings! We’re glowing after a very successful workshop and concert by Julia Kay Jamieson–and Natalie Cox brings us her own perspective on the day. Thanks and gratitude go out to Natalie Cox, Alex Perdew, and Diana Rowan for teaming up with Julia that evening for two of her ensemble compositions, “Buds” and “Snow Ambling”!
And we want to thank Silicon Valley Chapter for once again inviting us to 
share in their always enjoyable HarpLive! one week earlier at the beautiful Moss Beach home of Gwen Halterman.
In our popular Member Spotlight column, Suki Russack focuses on Naomi Hoffmeyer, who will entertain us at our upcoming Spring Social next week. Don’t miss it! And to round out our abundantly rich 2015-2016 harp year, we’re honored to co-host with SVC, and in conjunction with Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Yuying Chen, first prize winner of the 19th Israel International Harp Contest, the most prestigious harp competition in the world, for a master class and concert in June. So there’s something for everyone!
Please check out our member news and calendar items. The only thing missing is your great news! Send a request to link to the bacharp.org calendar so you can post your own events.
Happy Harping,
Alice Yothers
Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Naomi Hoffmeyer by Suki Russack
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be preparing for the USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC)? What kind of energy and concentration it would take to be trying to catch that golden ring? Naomi Hoffmeyer’s sense of excitement and delight in what she has so far accomplished in reaching for this goal is clear even in a long distance phone call. I had the opportunity to talk to her about her preparation for the competition, which takes place June 8–18 in Bloomington, Indiana.
Two weeks ago she passed the first hurdle, which was to have her audition tape accepted by the judges. In June, she will have to pass through four rounds of live competition, each round eliminating more harpists until the clear winners emerge at the finale.
As part of her meticulous preparation, Naomi has been performing at least one, and sometimes two, solo recitals every week since January. She has given over 30 recitals of the USAIHC repertoire since beginning her preparation. She has also had the opportunity, as part of the Artist Diploma program at Rice University, to have four different music professors provide solo coaching for the Competition repertoire.
Naomi now has over two hours of music memorized and up to tempo. She is spending some of her practice time away from the harp, going through the music in her head, listening to different recordings of the music, or studying the score. With every piece she works on, she attempts to find some emotional connection to help bring the music to life and to keep it fresh. She is also very careful to guard against injury, always conscious of her posture and keeping a sense of ease and relaxation in her practice. With this in mind, Naomi spent two months with harpist Alice Giles in Australia in 2012, primarily working on relaxation and ease of playing.
Naomi began her music training with piano at age five and began her harp studies at age nine. Between 8th and 9th grades, she attended Interlochen Arts Camp. She studied with Alice Chalifoux in her home state of Virginia, and then went to Interlochen Arts Academy for two years followed by the New England Conservatory. She finished her undergraduate work at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Doug Rioth, going on to get her Master of Music degree at Rice University with Paula Page in Houston, where she is continuing to work toward her Artist Diploma. Naomi studied and excelled through training with many of the finest harpists in the Bay Area and the US including Karen Gottlieb, Joan Holland, and Ann Hobson Pilot. She holds the position of Principal Harp for the California and Corpus Christi Symphonies and will perform at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland this summer under the batons of noteworthy conductors including Charles Dutoit and Michael Tilson Thomas.
Naomi has been a supportive member of BACAHS since 2012. As part of her commitment to the chapter, she generously offered to present a recital of her program for our members and friends on Saturday, May 7. The recital and BACAHS Spring Social will be held at the Sebastopol home of board member Henry Heines and Katherine Fines.
We wish Naomi the best of luck in her endeavors and are confident that her efforts will be well rewarded at the USAIHC.
REVIEW: WORKSHOP AND RECITAL WITH JULIA KAY JAMIESON—By Natalie Cox
In April BACAHS sponsored an event that I will remember as one of the most informative and fun of any I have ever experienced in my life as a musician. Julia Kay Jamieson came to the Bay Area to present a workshop on Improvisation, to be followed by a concert of her own compositions and arrangements. Julia is a masterful musician, composer and arranger with a teaching style both generous and enthusiastic.
From the moment I arrived I felt a sense of excitement and comfort. 
Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco was a well-chosen venue with an easy loading zone for harps. In just minutes, with the help of volunteers, I was unloaded, parked and all set up in the concert room, with plenty of time to tune. The other twenty attendees were a friendly and diverse group of harpists with all styles of harp: lap, lever, Celtic, Latin and pedal, each with a unique voice.
Improvisation is, for some, a very scary word, an idea implying no boundaries, open ended, no rules. What’s going to happen? I was put at ease immediately when Julia introduced herself and the subject close to her heart. She began the workshop by demonstrating on her harp a few simple ideas, then letting each of us try them out. Her teaching style is one of encouragement and support, freeing us from the inner critic and allowing our imaginations to flourish.
Idea One: Express what we’re feeling at this moment with sound. Remembering that in free improv, anything goes, we bravely put our hands to the strings and were encouraged to communicate joy, trepidation, hesitation, fearlessness.
Idea Two: Use only a rhythm pattern and stay within it.
Idea Three: Use only five tones, explore ways to extend interest.
Idea Four: Use all dynamic ranges while playing with no rhythm.
The list of ideas went on as three hours flew by in creative exploration and experimentation, giving us all the feeling that we can create something from our own imaginations using the many components of music. Our hosts, Alice, Susie and Melinda thought of everything to support our comfort by providing tasty and healthy snacks during the break.
To culminate this wonderful day’s rich learning experience, Julia performed a concert exceptional in every way. She is inspiring to hear, with clean, precise technique, dynamics ranging from a whisper to operatic fortes, lightning fast pedal work and emotional maturity.
Thank you team BACAHS for providing this exceptional experience!
UPCOMING BACAHS EVENTS
RSVP for BACAHS Spring Social Featuring Recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer at the home of Henry Heines and Katherine Fines in Western Sonoma County (between Sebastopol and Occidental). Come and bring your friends. You do not have to be a BACAHS member to attend. The afternoon is open to all who love music and sunny afternoons.
Date: Saturday afternoon, May 7, 2016
Time: Socializing and refreshments at 1 p.m., performance at 2:30 p.m., further refreshments after the performance—please note performance time change!
Highlights of Naomi’s performance include Salzedo’s Ballade, Jeremiah Siochi’s Sublimation (the piece that was commissioned for the USA International Harp Competition), and Caplet Divertissements.
Location: Sebastopol, CA (actually, 5 miles west of Sebastopol, RSVP or see the BACAHS newsletter for directions)
RIDE SHARE: If you need a ride or can give a ride, please let us know so we can connect you with others from your neighborhood or who are on the way.
Admission: free, although feel free to contribute a bottle of wine for the hosts
RESERVATIONS are requested, so that we can get a head count. Please RSVP to Alice Yothers at ayothers@yahoo.com
The Bay Area and Silicon Valley chapters of the 
American Harp Society in partnership with PJCC present:
Yuying Chen, the 2015 First Prize Winner of the most prestigious harp competition in the world, the 19th Israel International Harp Contest, performs works by Renié, Grandjany, de Falla, Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Bach.
Join us for this special one-night-only concert, followed by a “meet the artist” dessert reception.
Date: Tuesday, June 14
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Peninsula Jewish Community Center Board Room
Fee: $20 PJCC and AHS Members, $25 Public
Code: 47268
To purchase tickets, visit the PJCC Welcome Center, www.pjcc.org/arts, or call 650.378.2703.
Master Class with Yuying Chen on Wednesday, June 15, 6pm-8:30pm at a private home in Hillsborough. Open to participants and auditors. For more information and to register visit universe.com/yuyingmasterclass
MEMBER NEWS
Kristal Barlaan announces that San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble auditions for the coming year are taking place now through August. Harpists junior high aged through age 22 are invited to audition. For more information please visit their Facebook page: Harp Ensemble of San Jose Youth Symphony, or https://docs.google.com/…/1X420D1h5881larQ_olg9aX6…/viewform or contact Kristal at kristalharp@gmail.com
Please help Erica Messer promote the harp as an accessible instrument to learn to play. She would love your vote for music classes at Bay Area Parent Best of the Peninsula. Write in “Erica Messer, Harp Instruction” in the Music Classes category. Please share with friends and post to social media. Just follow the link below and there is a category for MUSIC CLASSES
http://www.bayareaparent.com/Best-Of-The-Best-Ballot/Peninsula/ Thank you for your vote.
Ellis Schuman’s Prelude for the Harp is scheduled for publication by the Lyra Music Company. Editions distributed by Vanderbilt Music Company of Bloomington, Indiana.
CALENDAR
May 2, 2016, 8pm, SFCOM Harp Studio Recital, Molly Langr, harpist. Molly’s program includes Handel Concerto in B-flat Major and Pierne Impromptu-Caprice. Molly and her teacher, Doug Rioth, are playing a number of 2-harp pieces as well including Bach French Suite, Salzedo Rumba and Chanson dans la Nuit.
May 7 and 8, the SF Conservatory of Music Orchestra, Scott Sandmeier, director, closes its season with a diverse sampling of orchestral works. The program features the overture to Johann Strauss II’s operetta Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron), Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas’ Sensemaya, Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis and Chloé, and Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder sung by mezzo-soprano Molly Hill ’15. Molly Langr and Doug Rioth, harps. For more information and to purchase tickets http://calendar.sfcm.edu/index.php?eID=1309
May 14, 2016, 11:00 am, Memorial Service for Bob Fonda at the Peninsula Free Methodist Church, 599 Jefferson Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063. Bob Fonda was loved by many, and all who knew Bob are welcome to attend. Wife Reiko and the family are touched that friends of the Harp Community have offered to play at Bob’s Memorial service. SVC harpists will provide harp music for the prelude, postlude and a special song during the service. For further information, please contact Celeste Misfeldt at harpangelcm@gmail.com
May 21 and 22, Jessica Schaeffer performs harp with Opera Cultura’s River of Women/Rio de Mujeres in San Jose. Part II of Hector Armienta’s La Llorona Trilogy, the chamber opera takes place in a 1940’s small town in Texas, close to the Great River. Paula dreams of escaping the rural life of the river, but is thwarted by her family and her culture. In the end, the spirit of the River and La Llorona take from her what she loves most – her only daughter. Sung in English with some phrases in Spanish.
Mexican Heritage Theater – School of Arts & Culture @ MHP, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose , CA 95116. Sat May 21st 7:00pm, Sun May 22nd 2:00pm; Ticket prices: $15.00 – $32.50; www.operacultura.org
May 22, 2016, 2PM Pleasanton Chamber Players will take you on a 
Pastoral Journey at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton, performing a unique program drawing on intimate connections to nature and painterly soundscapes. The program consists of Vaughan Williams’ well-loved On Wenlock Edge for tenor, piano and string quartet from 1909; the rarely performed Delius String Quartet from 1916-17; the premiere of Russian émigré David Finko’s song cycle Passages in the Wind in a new version for tenor and harp, on fifteen poems by American writer John Gracen Brown, which was first composed for tenor and piano in 1994; and Golubev’s wondrous Quintet for harp and string quartet from 1953, which was inspired by the famous virtuoso, Bolshoi harpist Vera Dulova.
Performers for this concert are longtime members Philip Santos and Cecilia Huang on violin, violist Melissa Huang, cellist Paul Rhodes, pianist Priscilla Granger, harpist and artistic director Dominique Piana and the up-and-coming tenor Greg Allen Friedman. They are all based locally or in the greater East Bay area.
The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in downtown Pleasanton. Parking is free and plentiful right next to the theatre. Tickets range in price from $15 to $25 and can be bought by calling (925) 931-4848 or going online at www.firehousearts.org
May 23rd and 24th 7:30 pm. Méliès Madness: Enter the whimsical, wonderful world of French illusionist and filmmaker Georges Méliès. Some of his famous short films are set to music and performed with live accompaniment of harp by Carla Fabris, string quartet and flute. Featuring local Bay Area composers and musicians. Reception to follow! Tickets: $20 General, $15 Students/Seniors/Children; Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121.
International Harp Festival 2016: The International Harp Festival runs from Thursday, May 26, through Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the San Damiano Retreat Center in the East Bay Hills town of Danville. Over 40 workshops and four days of exciting concerts are planned. Stay at the retreat center. Rooms include three meals a day. Double rooms are $125 per person/day. Visit http://www.harpfestival.org for more information or call 800-836-5559 for assistance.
IHF is offering a few work/study opportunities. If you work a day, you get one day free! Contact Jessica at hotharp@pacbell.net for more information.
Events happening soon–beginning this weekend–from BACAHS members!
Dear BACAHS members and friends,
There will be a newsletter distributed at the end of April with highlights of recent events, member spotlight, member news and classifieds. If you have not sent your member news to Alice Yothers, ayothers@yahoo.com, please do so by April 22. In the meantime, our community is rife with opportunities to experience the harp. Members and chapters are so busy that we feel compelled to bring you up to date on events that are coming soon and you may have already heard about but now include special guests and arrangements. Also, just announced, Yuying Chen, winner of the 19th International Harp Contest in Israel, will come to the Bay Area to do a concert on Tuesday, June 14, and Master Class on Wednesday, June 15. Read on for all the details.
From Diana Rowan:
Rehearsals for Ireland’s Poet-Patriots concert on Friday have started, and they’re sounding majestic. Fans of the Lord of the Rings score, this is for you!…and I did it again, goofed on the concert date – it’s of course FRIDAY April 22.
Luckily, this gives me the opportunity to share exciting news – the amazing harpist Natalie Cox is joining me!
As if this production were not glorious enough, you’ll now be treated to a double harp sight and sound in a cathedral.
Only one performance, one to remember:
Friday April 22, 8pm Ireland’s Poet-Patriots – a musical tribute
Composer Richard Evans leads a huge cast of classical & traditional Irish musicians. Grace Cathedral, San Francisco CA Click for tickets & info here
Based on the stirring poems and writings of 10 of Ireland’s poet-patriots, this is a musical commemoration of the struggle for Irish freedom. It brings to life events in Irish history that led to Dublin’s Easter Rising of 1916 and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. This is going to be a powerful evening, set in the iconic Grace Cathedral.
Saturday April 23, 1-5pm Performance Mastery workshop: transform fear into performance power! 7th Ave. Presbyterian Church, 1329 7th Ave., San Francisco CA Click for tickets & info here
An in-depth, one-off workshop on Performance Mastery. My most life-changing course, PM teaches you how to transform performance fear into performance power. Many of you know my story of moving from outrageous performance anxiety (so bad that I actually gave up music for years) to now being able to perform solo worldwide.
Whether you are a novice or experienced performer, this workshop will open up a whole new world for you. Join us!
From Jessica Siegel
The International Harp Festival is offering the members of the Bay Area Chapter of the AHS a discounted registration fee of $395 for full festival registrations. The discount code at checkout is IHF55. This rate is good through April 30th.
The International Harp Festival runs from Thursday, May 26 through Sunday, May 29, 2016 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in the East Bay Hills town of Danville. Over 40 workshops and four days of exciting concerts are planned. Stay at the retreat center. Rooms include 3 meals a day. Double rooms are $125 per person/day. Visit http://www.harpfestival.org for more information or call 800-836-5559 for assistance.
We are offering a few work/study opportunities. If you work a day, you get one day free! Contact Jessica at hotharp@pacbell.net for more information.
From Sonya Yu
Registration will close on April 30 for the upcoming 2016 United States International Music Competition (USIMC). This year’s competition categories include: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Vocal, Harp, Guitar and Traditional Chinese Instruments. A Special Chinese Music Award will be given to the excellent performance of Chinese compositions to promote Chinese music and culture. In addition, the first annual Festival will take place immediately following the competition. For competition rules please check www.USIMC.org.
USIMC, formerly CMTANC International Youth Music Competition, has been a successful annual event for more than twenty years. All students up to age 30 are welcome to participate. We have had wonderful turnouts and outstanding winners in the past and would like to extend this opportunity to as many qualified applicants as possible.
Besides the competition, this year USIMC will hold a Festival which includes master classes, faculty concerts, workshops and seminars given by internationally distinguished artists and professors.
Applications for both the Competition and Festival are accepted exclusively online at usimc.org. You may apply for either the Competition or the Festival, or both as a package. This year’s competition consists of a preliminary video round and a live final round. Completed applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2016. The live final round will take place on August 12, 2016. The Festival will be held on August 13 & 14, 2016 at the Braun Music Center at Stanford University in Stanford, California. June 15 is the deadline of the Festival registration only. Please visit USIMC.org for the competition guidelines and detailed information. For any questions, please contact info@usimc.org or (408) 681-9928.
RSVP for BACAHS Spring Social Featuring Recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer at the home of Henry Heines and Katherine Fines in Western Sonoma County (between Sebastopol and Occidental). Come and bring your friends. The afternoon is open to all who love music and sunny afternoons.
Date: Saturday afternoon, May 7, 2016
Time: Socializing and refreshments at 1 p.m., performance at 3 p.m., further refreshments after the performance
Highlights of Naomi’s performance include Salzedo’s Ballade, Jeremiah Siochi’s Sublimation (the piece that was commissioned for the USA International Harp Competition), and Caplet Divertissements.
Location: 5 miles west of Sebastopol. Address and directions are included in the BACAHS newsletter or email bacahs@gmail.com. Carpoolers–if you need a ride or can offer a ride, please let us know. We’ll try to match you with someone from your neighborhood.
Admission: free, although feel free to contribute a bottle of wine for the hosts
RESERVATIONS are requested, so that we can get a head count. Please RSVP to Alice Yothers at ayothers@yahoo.com
Parking will be available on the property. Henry Heines can be reached at 415-509-8991 or mhheines@comcast.net
Just Announced:
Harpist Yuying Chen in Recital at Peninsula Jewish Community Center
Award winning harpist and first prize winner of the 19th Israel International Harp Contest (2015), Yuying Chen, performs works by Renié, Grandjany, de Falla, Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Bach.
Join us for this special one-night-only concert, followed by a “meet the artist” dessert reception.
Date: Tuesday, June 14
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC), 800 Foster City Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404
Fee: $20 BACAHS, SVCAHS and PJCC members, $25 Public
Code: 47268
To purchase tickets, visit the PJCC Welcome center, www.pjcc.org/arts, or call 650.378.2703. This program is presented by the Bay Area and Silicon Valley chapters of the American Harp Society in partnership with PJCC.
Master Class with Yuying Chen Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at a private home in Hillsborough. For more information and registration visit universe.com/yuyingmasterclass
Sign up now for workshop and recital that is sure to delight. Spring has sprung and so have harp events!
March/April 2016
Spring has sprung with a profusion of activity in the Bay Area harp world! March saw terrific contemporary music performances by members Jennifer Ellis and Karen Gottlieb, and April and May bring more harp delights, contributing to the rich culture of our community.
April 10 headlines award winning harpist, composer and teacher Julia Kay Jamieson, presenting the workshop, Fearless Improv, followed by a concert featuring some of our own member professionals lending their improvisational talents to the mix.
Don’t miss Member Spotlight, featuring the story of Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov as told by Suki Russack. And Karen Gottlieb is back with another insightful Practical Tips for Harpists column.
We have again been invited to join Silicon Valley Chapter in their upcoming Harp Live! gathering. Don’t miss it! And because you asked for more social activities, we’re throwing a Spring Social in beautiful Sebastopol, in the home of BAC Secretary Henry Heines. It will be an afternoon of conviviality, comestibles, and music, graced by our own Naomi Hoffmeyer in recital.
Our events calendar and Member News spots will keep you abreast of what some of our membership is up to. Please keep us posted so that we can share your activities with our readership. Send a request to link to the bacharp.org calendar so you can post your own events.
Happy Spring Holidays,
Alice Yothers
Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov by Suki Russack
It was early in the evening when I walked up the many stairs of the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco to sit in my favorite place, “among the angels” in the second balcony. The pit was empty except for one shadowy figure. Then I could hear the single note of the harp. Olga was tuning her instrument and as she plucked the string and adjusted the pitch, I could clearly hear when pitch was correct. Just listening to the sound coming into focus was a lesson in what to listen for when tuning the harp. It was with delight that I then was able to interview Olga, long time member and supporter of BACAHS, for the newsletter.
Olga is from Moscow and began her studies at the Gnesin School when she was five and a half years old. She sang in the children’s choir and studied piano. She was never very dedicated to playing the piano and her grades reflected this. Nevertheless, because she was so gifted musically, when she was 11, she was offered the opportunity to continue her studies with a different instrument. Her first desire was to become a singer, but her maturing voice did not have the required resonance. She had always been fascinated by the harp and so her studies began with Mark Rubin. She graduated from the school in 1968 and was then accepted into the Vera Dulova harp department at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. While she was studying with Dulova, she participated in the 1971 International Harp Week in Holland and in 1973 played a recital at the International Festival in France that was celebrating the 80th anniversary of Pierre Jamet. She graduated with honors in 1973. In 1974 Olga won first prize in the International Competition in Geneva Switzerland. She was awarded six thousand Swiss Francs and a gold Rolex watch engraved with her maiden name, Ortenberg. The same year she graduated, she won the audition for the harp chair at the Bolshoi Theater, where she played for 14 years. After immigrating to San Francisco with her family, Olga won the audition for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.
Although he was not a harpist, Olga credits her uncle Adolf Brukas one of her most important teachers. He taught her the importance of understanding the beauty of the sound and how to produce that sound in order to achieve a singing musical phrase. He not only taught her how to listen to her sound but also how to practice properly.
It would have been easy to sit and listen to Olga’s stories for hours on end. She has a sense of joy and wonder that is enchanting and inspiring. She not only shared her stories of many famous musicians but also of her own insights into performance practice; what is needed for seamless and elegant technique. Her advice for learning music is this: always use a metronome, repeat each difficult passage ten times at a very slow tempo before attempting to speed up, and practice VERY lightly.
Olga is very happy to be a part of BACAHS because it brings her into contact with other harpists and with the different harp events and performances going on in the Bay Area.
Olga is performing around the Bay Area in April and May with her husband, Sergey. In addition, the new CD, “Lyric Flute and Harp Musical Offerings” featuring Olga with Dawn Walker-Schrock, flute, includes the harp solo, “The Lark” by Glinka-Balakirev, with the original 20th century transcription for harp done by Vera Dulova. Olga was the first harpist in Russia to perform this piece with its several chromatic passages that were quite challenging to play, as they came directly from the piano score. It is available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HARPISTS—By Karen Gottlieb, Harpist and Harp Technician
Do you ever wonder how strings are made and how best to handle them for superior performance? Check out Harp Technician Karen Gottlieb’s article, “The Thing about Strings”, originally published in the American Harp Society Journal, Summer 2013. The article contains great tips and tutorials from a number of technicians for stringing and tuning your harp.
UPCOMING BACAHS EVENTS
APRIL 10, 2016 BACAHS presents FEARLESS IMPROV WORKSHOP AND RECITAL with Julia Kay Jamieson
Don’t miss this great opportunity for entertainment and learning new skills with your harp. Sign up now to attend the workshop from 1:30pm until 4:30pm and stay for the Recital at 6:30pm. The events will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Avenue, San Francisco, a central location off Park Presidio that is easily accessible from all directions in the Bay Area. Click for workshop and recital information and tickets.
Workshop: Create music in the moment in the company of other adventurous harpists! Explore the tremendous range of expression, color, and texture of your harp through improvisation. Fun experiments and games will break the ice; this workshop will open you to all sorts of ideas for having fun or even goofing off with your harp! All ages and levels welcome. Bring your harp! Please have your lever harp tuned to 3 flats. Can’t bring your harp? Send an email to BACAHS@gmail.com and let us know. There will be some harps available for borrowing.
Recital: Program to include music by Renié, deFalla, Ellington, a-ha, Tournier, Piazolla, Mercury, Leonard Cohen and more. Traditional harp repertoire will be paired with Jamieson’s own transcriptions of popular and jazz works. Special guest appearance in ensemble by Bay Area harpists: Natalie Cox, Alexandra Perdew, Diana Rowan. Reception will follow the recital.
An award winning harpist, composer and teacher, Julia is a Director-at-Large with the American Harp Society and chairperson of the Music Education Committee for the organization. She is a great resource and teacher and resonates with young people and adults as well as amateurs and professionals. Read on to see what others say about Julia’s workshops:
“Julia Jamieson’s improv workshops have been joyful ‘jams’ for all ages and levels, as seen each year at the Illinois Summer Harp Class. Whether you’re seven or shy, she’ll welcome you to be encouraged and to experiment. You’ll find your own recipe to celebrate your music within.” Ann Yeung, President, American Harp Society, Professor of Harp, University of Illinois; Aletheia Duo
“I have had the pleasure of seeing Julia in action numerous times, and would strongly recommend harpists of all ages and levels to not miss the opportunity to take part in her workshops! Her improv techniques and guidance inspire students and teachers to stretch musical boundaries in a very supportive and fun environment. Her workshops are always full of laughter, imagination and learning how to play with freedom at the harp. Very fun and refreshing, and I highly recommend to anyone!” Catherine Case, Professor of Harp, University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University. Professional Harpist, Seattle WA
“Julia Kay Jamieson makes improvising easy and fun! In a relaxed and safe environment, she guides students as they explore improvising through insightful questions and often hilarious games. Julia masterfully gives each student new improvisational tools that match their individual skills and level, no matter if they are beginning or seasoned performers. Not only did participants of all ages (including myself) leave her Fearless Improv workshop at the 2015 AHS, Inc., Summer Institute with confident smiles, they also eagerly volunteered and performed improvised ensemble pieces during an Institute reception later that evening!” Kela Walton, Professional Freelance Harpist and Teacher, Buffalo NY
May 7, 2016, 1pm to 4pm BACAHS event: Spring Social at the Sebastopol home of Henry Heines with Recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer. Spend a spring day in the Sonoma country side while enjoying libations and snacks with your friends and gazing over the valley. Top that with a harp recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer, including Salzedo’s Ballade, Jeremiah Siochi’s Sublimation (the piece that was commissioned for the USAIHC), and the two Caplet Divertissements. The event is free and open to you and your friends and family. Please do RSVP to Alice Yothers ayothers@yahoo.com and let us know you will attend.
MEMBER NEWS
Please help Erica Messer promote the harp as an accessible instrument to learn to play. She would love your vote for music classes at Bay Area Parent Best of the Peninsula. Write in “Erica Messer, Harp Instruction” in the Music Classes category. Please share with friends and post to social media. Just follow the link below and there is a category for MUSIC CLASSES. http://www.bayareaparent.com/Best-Of-The-Best-Ballot/Peninsula/ Thank you for your vote.
CALENDAR
April 3, 2016, 2pm Hear Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro played by members of the San Francisco Symphony, including Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik and Principal Harp and BACAHS member, Douglas Rioth, in a Sunday chamber music concert at Davies Symphony Hall. Written in 1905, Ravel’s work is one of the first pieces to explore the full potential of the modern harp as a solo instrument.
With a history spanning almost six millennia, and enjoying great popularity in medieval Europe, the harp was no stranger to Western music, yet it was often limited by its ability to play a relatively small range of notes without having to retune the strings. With the perfection of the modern, double-action pedal mechanism, Ravel seized the opportunity to showcase the harp in this virtuosic chamber work also featuring violin, viola, cello, flute and clarinet. Visit sfsymphony.org for more information.
April 3, 2016, 3pm Silicon Valley Chapter AHS invites all BACAHS members to Harp Live! in the beautiful Moss Beach home of Gwen Halterman, 185 Reef Point Road. Formerly called “Performance Practice”, Harp Live! is a quarterly gathering where chapter members are invited to bring their favorite pieces to share or play for the group. Sessions include solos, harp duets, and/or chamber ensemble pieces. All are welcome to bring music they are working on, or just come to listen and enjoy the company of other harpists. Remember, you do not have to perform; you can participate by coming to hear others play. You will always hear or learn something new. Most participants give a history of the piece or the composer, how they found the piece, or why they enjoy playing it. And, if you do play, it does not have to be a polished performance! Wonderful refreshments are served and harps are provided. It is a great time to rekindle your harp spirit. RSVP gwenhalterman@gmail.com
Dr. Diana Rowan continues to offer online training in 2016:
Performance Mastery EXPRESS – 4 short weeks to freedom! Transform performance fear into performance power. Starts March 29 http://dianarowan.com/performance-mastery-express-live-online-training-starts-march-29
Upcoming in late April: World Harp Techniques MIDDLE EAST Learn the exotic, dramatic techniques of Middle Eastern music first-hand from masters, translated onto harp. Join the mailing list to be first to hear when we start: http://dianarowan.com/contact
Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov, harpist, and her husband, Sergey Rakitchenkov, viola, will perform in ChamberWORKS, eclectic and intimate nights of music and song featuring the 2016 Adler Fellows and curated by San Francisco Opera. Program highlights include Adler Julie Adams performing works by Previn, Chausson and Ponchielli. April 20, 8:00pm, Taube Atrium Theater. See more at: http://sfopera.com/sfoperalab/season-one/chamberworks/
April 23rd at 7:30 pm: Musicians Sage Po & Rebekah Hood will present an eclectic mix of chamber and solo repertoire and new works for harp & cello. This will be the kick-off concert for New Music icon Terry Riley’s “Sri Moonshine Music Series,” a project of Camptonville Performing Arts. There will be five performances throughout the spring and summer. Sage Po and Rebekah Hood will be appearing at the Camptonville Performing Arts Center at 15333 Cleveland Avenue, Camptonville, CA 95922. Tickets for the April concert are available via Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2521244, or contact Christina Ledson at (530) 288-3655 or christinaledson@gmail.com. Publicity materials will be posted on Terry Riley’s website by the beginning of April.
May 23rd and 24th 7:30 pm. Méliès Madness: Enter the whimsical, wonderful world of French illusionist and filmmaker Georges Méliès. Some of his famous short films are set to music and performed with live accompaniment of harp by Carla Fabris, string quartet and flute. Featuring local Bay Area composers and musicians. Reception to follow! Tickets: $20 General, $15 Students/Seniors/Children Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121.
International Harp Festival 2016: Presented by Diablo Valley Arts Academy, May 26-29, 2016, Danville, CA www.harpfestival.org/
June 29-July 5, 2016: Harpists Tour to Save the Ancient 
RedwoodsBay Area Youth Harp Ensemble (BAYHE) is a group of young harpists playing multicultural music on Celtic-style folk harps, directed by well-known Bay Area harpist Diana Stork. Diana, BAYHE, and some of BAYHE’s illustrious professional alumnae will be heading up to Humboldt County from the Bay Area June 29-July 5. The harpists will present a program of harp music from around the world to raise awareness of the need to save the ancient redwoods. Performances will feature music inspired by nature, with an emphasis on music about trees and forests. The purpose of the tour is to protect and restore the precious remaining old growth redwood trees and to share the beauty of the harp.
BAYHE is sponsored by the Multicultural Music Fellowship (MCMF) a 501 c3 nonprofit whose mission is to bring the world together through music – with the harp most especially. Email: multiculturalmusicfellowship@gmail.com Phone: 510-548-3326 www.multiculturalmusicfellowship.org www.facebook.com/BayAreaYouthHarpEnsemble
Proceeds of concerts and performances will be donated to Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association to help support their conservation of the redwood forests. www.humboldtredwoods.org
From our friends around the harp community:
Registration Now Opened!
Announcing the upcoming 2016 United States International Music Competition and Festival (USIMC/ Festival). Thanks for entering your students for 2014 CMTANC International Youth Music Competition. We hope to see your students again in the 2016 USIMC/Festival.
This year’s competition categories include: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Vocal, Harp, Guitar and Traditional Chinese Instruments. A Special Chinese Music Award will be given to the excellent performance of Chinese compositions to promote Chinese music and culture. In addition, the first annual Festival will take place immediately following the competition.
USIMC, formerly CMTANC International Youth Music Competition, has been a successful annual event for more than twenty years. All students up to age 30 are welcome to participate. We have had wonderful turnouts and outstanding winners in the past and would like to extend this opportunity to as many qualified applicants as possible.
Besides the competition, this year USIMC will hold a Festival which includes masterclasses, faculty concerts, workshops and seminars given by worldwide known distinguished artists and professors.
Applications for both the Competition and Festival are accepted exclusively online, beginning from March 1st, 2016 at www.usimc.org. You may apply for either the Competition or the Festival, or both as a package. This year’s competition consists of a preliminary video round (completed applications must by postmarked by April 30, 2016) and a live, final round which will take place on August 12, 2016. The Festival will be held on August 13 & 14, 2016 at the Braun Music Center of Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Please visit USIMC.org for the Competition guidelines and Festival detailed information. For any questions, please contact us at: Info@USIMC.org or (408) 681-9928.
Request for survey participation: A student of Anna Maria Mendietta, Hannah Gruell, requested distribution of the following survey. Hannah is a harpist and industrial design student. The survey will take less than 60 seconds of your time, and will help this student with her senior project. Click on the link below. It is anonymous.
Dear BACAHS members,
I am an Industrial Design major at San Francisco State University working on my senior project. It is about the high cost of harps and the concern involving their transportation. In this project, I am proposing to design an electric pedal harp. Your help would be an invaluable part of my project! Please click the link below to start my survey. Thank you in advance for your participation and time!
https://sfsu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9pErdDK2a1ynCJv
CLASSIFIED ADS
Check out the Great Harps for sale recently added to the Classified Ads page including:
Camac Clio, 44 strings, pristine condition
Lyon and Healy 22, Gold
Lyon and Healy 30, Ebony
Dusty Strings FH 36
Lyon and Healy 23, Natural
MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all who have joined the chapter or renewed your membership in BACAHS. If you have not done so already, please join or renew now. The membership year begins September 1 and goes through August 2016. Although you may be a member of the American Harp Society at the National level, we hope you will join the Bay Area Chapter as well.
The Chapter serves to meet the need to share information, promote and foster an appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument in the Bay Area, and further harp education at all levels. Your support enables continued sponsorship of harp programs and master classes. Visit BACHARP.org/membership. The Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society is a 501(c)3 corporation and, as such, both membership dues and all donations are tax-deductible, to the full extent allowed by law.
BACAHS wants to hear from you–also note upcoming harp events
The next BACAHS Newsletter including ‘Member Spotlight’ and ‘Tips for Harpists’ will be distributed around March 25. Share your news—events, successes, plans, etc.—with the harp community via the newsletter and calendar. Please send your updates to Alice Yothers by March 22, 2016.
In the meantime, there are many harp events coming up soon so mark your calendars and make your plans:
Julia Kay Jamieson Fearless Improv Workshop and Recital in San Francisco, Sunday, April 10—Workshop 1:30pm to 4:30pm; Stay for the Recital 6:30pm. See the attached flyer for registration information. Sign up early—Workshop Participation limited to 20 attendees. Students and pros alike will gain greater ease in improvising with the harp, which translates to better, faster arrangement skills and recovery from ‘mistakes’. Auditors are welcome! More info.
Spring Social featuring recital by Member Naomi Hoffmeyer. Board member Henry Heines invites all members and friends to socialize and enjoy fine harp music in his home in beautiful Sebastopol, CA. Saturday May 7, 2015 at 3pm. More details to come.
San Jose Youth Symphony harp ensemble auditions begin in April. The Third season begins in September 2016. This ensemble is for harpists level 2 and above who are seeking to apply their private lesson education, motivate their growing and build a circle of young harp friends. It is for Junior High to High School. Kristal Barlaan leads the ensemble
SJYS Harp Ensemble meets every-other Wednesday nights September- May.
There are two main concerts per year. The Facebook page has application info:
https://www.facebook.com/SJYSHarp/
From our friends at Silicon Valley Chapter AHS
SVCAHS invites all BACAHS members to Harp Live! Sunday, April 3, 2016, at 3pm in the beautiful Moss Beach home of Gwen Halterman. Formerly called “Performance Practice”, Harp Live! is a quarterly gathering where chapter members are invited to bring their favorite pieces to share or play for the group. Sessions include solos, harp duets, and/or chamber ensemble pieces. All are welcome to bring music they are working on, or just come to listen and enjoy the company of other harpists. Remember, you do not have to perform; you can participate by coming to hear others play. You will always hear or learn something new. Most participants give a history of the piece or the composer, how they found the piece, or why they enjoy playing it. And, if you do play, it does not have to be a polished performance! Wonderful refreshments are served and harps are provided. It is a great time to rekindle your harp spirit. RSVP to gwenhalterman@gmail.com
SVCAHS is considering forming an Adult Harp Ensemble to enjoy playing together on an ongoing basis – probably once a month. Both pedal and lever harp would be welcome. This group is in the process of forming, and there has already been an enthusiastic response. If you would be interested in joining send an email to Sue Dinwiddie, sued@daise.com
BACAHS Annual Potluck and Music Swap–Sunday, January 31, 4-7PM
HELP US RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH
GREAT FOOD, DRINK, MUSIC AND FRIENDS!
When: Sunday, January 31, 2016 4:00-7:00 PM
Where: home of Malcolm McAfee
30 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco
In addition to great food and camaraderie, we will 
be entertained at the harp compliments of member
and sound sculptress, Destiny Muhammad
NEW THIS YEAR—MUSIC SWAP! bring sheet music you
no longer need and take home music from others
that you always wanted to play
Please RSVP and indicate what dish you will bring:
Alice Yothers 510-305-9438 or ayothers@yahoo.com