About Melissa
Hello! I have been playing the harp for 25 wonderful years! My love of the harp brought me to Tucson where I studied with Dr. Carol McLaughlin for my bachelors and masters degrees in harp performance at the University of Arizona.
Melissa performs regularly with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra as principal harpist. She plays for special events and parties throughout Southern Arizona. At 14, Melissa started playing weddings. "I love bringing my harp music to these beautiful, intimate ceremonies. Arranging new music at the bride's request is so fun to do and I love personalizing the experience." Melissa has performed in Disney Hall in Los Angeles, CA; Lemmensinstituut in Belgium; Liechtenstein; Rio de Janerio, Brazil; and Shanghai, China. She serves on the board of the Tucson chapter of the American Harp Society, S.O.P.H.I.A.
"When I started a family I also began teaching and have loved sharing the harp and music with my students: adults and children. Teaching music brings joy and meaning to my life and the lives of those I teach. Guiding other harpists through progression and success is a beautiful journey. In 2021 I expanded my private harp studio and added music lessons for young children through an amazing program called Let's Play Music. I love teaching children! They have such fun in my classes and learn some pretty amazing skills that will benefit them as musicians and humans through out their lives."
Whether you're looking for a harpist at your event or a music teacher for your child (or yourself!), I can't wait to hear from you and answer your questions!
Melissa performs regularly with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra as principal harpist. She plays for special events and parties throughout Southern Arizona. At 14, Melissa started playing weddings. "I love bringing my harp music to these beautiful, intimate ceremonies. Arranging new music at the bride's request is so fun to do and I love personalizing the experience." Melissa has performed in Disney Hall in Los Angeles, CA; Lemmensinstituut in Belgium; Liechtenstein; Rio de Janerio, Brazil; and Shanghai, China. She serves on the board of the Tucson chapter of the American Harp Society, S.O.P.H.I.A.
"When I started a family I also began teaching and have loved sharing the harp and music with my students: adults and children. Teaching music brings joy and meaning to my life and the lives of those I teach. Guiding other harpists through progression and success is a beautiful journey. In 2021 I expanded my private harp studio and added music lessons for young children through an amazing program called Let's Play Music. I love teaching children! They have such fun in my classes and learn some pretty amazing skills that will benefit them as musicians and humans through out their lives."
Whether you're looking for a harpist at your event or a music teacher for your child (or yourself!), I can't wait to hear from you and answer your questions!
