Program Overview
Harp
Study of the harp is centered on the broad experiences of our faculty who provide students with rigorous instruction tailored to their needs and goals as a musician. We seek to develop students’ talents to the highest musical and professional levels through private lessons, a range of performance opportunities, and more. The bachelor of music program in harp encompasses private instruction leading to thorough development in technique, style, musicianship, interpretation, pedagogy, and repertoire coupled with essential opportunities to perform in chamber and improvisational ensembles, contemporary music ensembles, and orchestras. The program includes the weekly harp seminar, harp ensemble, and courses in music theory and music history.
Conservatory student harpist plays with the Oberlin Orchestra during its Chicago concert tour.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
Program Facts
- Program Type: Major
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- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Division: Strings
Strings Division Director
Sibbi Bernhardsson,
Professor of Violin
Quick Links
Student harpist performs with Oberlin Musical Union in Finney Chapel.
Performance Ensemble
Oberlin produces nearly 500 concerts on campus each year—from recitals by students, faculty, and guest artists to concerts by the more than 25 student ensembles. The conservatory and college present performances to satisfy any musical interest covering a multitude of genres from classical to jazz to contemporary; acoustic to electronic to computer-generated; and from time-tested masterworks to music created now.
Performance EnsemblesHarp Faculty
Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, psychological, and musical skills.
My goal is to offer students a boost onto the shoulders of harpists and other musicians who have come before, so they may reach high and gain a wider perspective on today’s new horizons. This is an environment that nurtures an explosion of creative and intellectual growth, where students have wide latitude to pursue their passions.
Harp News
Harpist Diane Evans Appointed to Oberlin Conservatory Faculty
January 19, 2022
Principal harp of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to begin in fall 2022.
Phoebe Durand-McDonnell ’19 Awarded Fulbright Award in Switzerland
May 15, 2019
Harp performance major Phoebe Durand-McDonnell ’19 has been awarded a Fulbright to study historical harp performance in Switzerland.
Harpist Anya Garipoli ’19 Wins Lyon & Healy Award
March 21, 2019
Student of Yolanda Kondonassis emerges from field of 54 performers in Chicago competition.
Life After Oberlin
Notable Oberlin Alumni
Trina Struble ’91
Principal Harp of The Cleveland Orchestra
Lynnelle Ediger-Kordzaia ’92
Founder and Director of GreenSpring International Academy of Music
Jennifer Ellis ’10
Harp Instructor at Mills College