Alice Chalifoux Tribute to a Beloved Teacher

Alice Chalifoux, beloved teacher and performer has passed away peacefully, and joined the angels in heaven at 100 years of age. A brilliant harpist and prized protege of Carlos Salzedo, she graced the stage of Severance Hall for 43 years. She performed around the world with the Cleveland Orchestra winning the respect and admiration of musicians and her conductors. Some of the most famous of these conductors were Sokoloff, Rodzsinski, Leinsdorf, Szell, Maazel, Bernstein, and Boulez. Her stories of her years in the Cleveland Orchestra were legendary, and when she spoke EVERYONE listened. These stories were frequently sprinkled with hilarious jokes that kept us all laughing, even years later.
Miss Chalifoux often talked about George Szell because he was the toughest, the most perfectionistic, and the most intimidating conductor of her career. Although she had tremendous respect for him, she said poor eyesight kept her from feeling the icy intensity of his "glossy stare". For many years she was the first and only woman in the Cleveland Orchestra where she not only survived, but thrived. She set the standard for orchestral harpists and blazed a trail of success for future generations with a style all her own. Her dynamic personality was an extension of her strength and determination as a woman who made her mark in the music world. She achieved this great career while raising her daughter Alyce Rideout alone, as her husband John Rideout passed away at a young age in 1951.
As a teacher she produced an unprecedented number of outstanding harpists, many of whom are world famous soloists, teachers, and orchestral harpists of the highest positions. Her style was "Old School", tough and demanding. She was thorough in her instruction of the Salzedo method, and she was ruthlessly picky about every detail of his technique and the interpretation of his compositions. She was fair to everyone as long as you worked hard and did your best. She had the ability to make every student feel important and her teaching was an inspiration. She was generous with her time and advice, and took-in more than a few students who were in "difficult circumstances."
She had no sympathy for "whiners", "prissy princesses", "phonies", or "mean-spirited snake-like people". If she didn't like someone it was usually for a very good reason and she wouldn't mince words - she'd tell you why if you asked. If you earned her respect you knew you were going to make it in the music world as her recommendation always opened doors of opportunity. I remember her pecking out just such a recommendation on her stationery with her ancient typewriter and telling me to include it with any resume, just in case I needed it. I still have it framed in my studio.
If a student was discouraged after losing an audition or a competition, she would say: "Always do your best and remember the 'cream always rises to the top'." "Even if you don't get this job, there will always be others." She was also quick to remind us that " You can't kill talent, everyone will know you and respect you by your playing."
The Alice Chalifoux Tribute at the AHS conference in Detroit was an intensely spectacular night and an absolute labor of love. There were outstanding performances by the "Salzedo Duo" Jody Guinn and Nancy Lendrim, Joan Raeburn Holland, Susan Dederich-Pejovich, Trina Strubel, Mindy Cutcher, Elisabeth Remy-Johnson, Xiao Lei Salovara, Doug Rioth, and Ann Hobson Pilot. Opening remarks were given by Lisa Wellbaum who shared some hilarious stories. Kim Rowe, Jara Goodrich, and Yolanda Kondonassis continued the humorous commentary between performances. Interspersed throughout the rest of the evening were a radio interview, a photo montage, the NBC "Camden" interview, and of course the famous Johnny Carson interview. Watching her charm Johnny Carson with her wry humor was fantastic and he was very impressed with the harp ensemble performance. Their encore performance 20 years later was just as impressive. The NBC "Camden" interview brought back tearful memories for many in the audience who spent their summers there.
Afterwards, there were lots of tearful hugs as people shared stories at the Lyon & Healy reception. I talked with a few of the performers' husbands and they had some choice words of affection for her. Roger Greive, husband of Nancy Lendrim remarked that he didn't know he would be getting two mothers-in-law when he married Nancy, her mother and Miss Chalifoux. "Thankfully, he said.. she approved of me!"
Prentice Pilot, Ann Hobson's husband joked with Laurie Vassallo and I that she was "Big Mama"and everyone loved "Big Mama!"
Alice Chalifoux was an incredible woman who had an enormous impact on the harp world as a performer and as a teacher. She shaped the lives of thousands of harpists and will forever remain an icon in the harp world. There will NEVER be another Alice Chalifoux, but she lives in each of us who knew her so well and loved her for all that she was. As we grieve her, we honor her by sharing our memories with one another and reflecting on her outstanding life and career. Her humor, her grace and her dignity, were only surpassed by her enormous talent and legendary knowledge of the fine art of harp playing.
Even though many of us are in shock and reeling in grief, we take comfort in our shared experiences and our memories of her. In my mind's eye, I can see her with her hand on her hip with a wry smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, and she is chuckling at my tears. I can hear her in my mind saying "Larrrraa, ...don't worry dear, I'm fine!" This followed by (one of her most famous quotes), "Have a piece of chocolate dear, it will make you feel better,...now get busy and start practicing!"

12:28 PM, 04 Aug 2008 by Laura Smithburg Byrne | Permalink

Alice Chalifoux in Maine...

I had a concert in Rockport ME in the 70s where I performed the Debussy Danses with the Vermeer String Quartet. After the concert, some students came up to me and told me that they loved my performance but if Miss Chalifoux found out they had attended my concert, they would be expelled from the Harp colony...wow. My recording of that concert with the Vermeer quartet was aired on NPR for many years after that horrible occasion. God rest her soul, but I need rest as well from that abusive interaction. Harpists should not be this way to one another - ever - it is counter-productive. I will never forget that abusive commentary and neither will her students who tried to come to my performance. Remember, remember...those who we think are nice are not necessarily so.... Susan Allen

by Susan Allen on 08/05/08

Thank you, Laura

Thank you,Laura, for your thoughtful words. Like the rest of us, Alice Chalifoux was not perfect. But for those of us who knew and loved her, the memories of her good qualities- of which there were many- are what remain. Paula Page

by Paula Page on 08/06/08

Kudos!

Kudos to Laura Smithberg Byrne on her insightful and beautiful narrative about our beloved, Alice Chalifoux! While we mourn the loss of this great teacher, performer, mentor, colleague and friend of the harp world, our wonderful and cherished memories sustain us. Lisa Wellbaum Geber

by Lisa Wellbaum Geber on 08/06/08

Chalifoux's Tribute

I had the privilege of studying with Alice Chalifoux both in Camden, Maine and in Cleveland, Ohio and am now working as a mental health therapist. The tribute you have written, Laura, is outstanding and captures the Alice Chalifoux we know and love. I find extreme comfort in hearing the words of fellow Chalifoux students at this time of our great loss. What amazes me is that during this time of mourning for Alice Chalifoux's family, colleagues, friends, and students, others are using this blog to feature themselves center stage and holding on to seeds of bitterness from 30 years ago. I was especially struck by Susan Allen's words, "Remember...those who we think are nice are not necessarily so...." Laurie Vassallo

by Laurie Vassallo on 08/06/08

A request from the adminstrator

As owner and founder of the Harp Column Community (www.harpcolumn.com), editor of Harp Column, and a long time student of Alice Chalifoux, I too would like to thank Laura Byrne for her touching words and comments about Alice Chalifoux. I am shocked and dismayed that anyone would use this space as a place for negative thoughts about someone who has so recently passed away. Although it is very tempting for me to remove such comments, I am adhering to our policy of not censoring opinions posted on www.harpcolumn.com. I would, however, like issue a personal request to use this space in the nature for which it was intended. To do otherwise shows a stunning lack of courtesy and is disrespectful of our community. Kim Rowe

by Kimberly Rowe on 08/07/08

Thanks, sorrow, and shock

Laura, thank you so much for your tribute. I, too, am saddened by the loss of this great lady, and will always remember and be thankful for the time I spent as her student. I am beyond shocked at the utter lack of class and respect of someone who would post a comment denigrating a beloved teacher on a site which strives to highlight and uplift the harp community as a whole. Coming while her family, students, and many others are mourning is offensive and vulgar. Kim, thanks for your site and your words. I would suggest that you could alter your policy just this once, but I respect your decision. Lynne Abbey-Lee

by Lynne Abbey-Lee on 08/07/08

ALICE

I knew Alice for over 25 years, although I never studied with her. I would bring rental harps up to Camden just after Memorial day and pick them up at the end of August. Alice always invited me to stay over night, which I frequently did. By the way, she insisted I call her Alice. We got along great, even though we didn't see eye to eye on schools of playing. We both figured out early on that it would be best to avoid certain harp topics. I always found her to be warm, very funny, intelligent, and very caring. She was generous to a fault. She told me many wonderful stories and some very juicy gossip that I don't think anyone else ever heard! But I was fully aware that, where harp playing and technique was concerned, she was totally intolerant of any way but her own. Is that a criticism? No. She was a complicated person and that's just the way she was. After the Camden house was sold and she moved to Virginia, I kept track of her through friends who had studied with her. But I didn't go to see her. I wanted to remember her the way she was up in Camden and not watch her slow and sad decline. I will always think of her there, standing on the porch in Camden as I pulled into the driveway on a gorgeous crisp clear sunny day, the bay sparkling in the sunlight, and little tiny white haired Alice waiting to greet me and to catch up on the latest gossip and bawdy jokes. Or sitting in the attic living room late at night, her feet proped up and arms crossed, as we watched the news together and she dropped precious tidbits about her life in the harp world. Goodbye Alice. I will truly miss you.

by Carl Swanson on 08/07/08

Opinions

While it may seem a bit soon, I see no point in failing to acknowledge that Miss Chalifoux had strong opinions. As a dyed-in-the-wool Salzedo protege, just as did Miss Lawrence, she had strong likes and dislikes, as far as I know. Such a comment as the students made is a reflection of their fierce protectiveness of their student's development in impressionable years, and the development of their way of hearing the harp. Hearing an excellent performance by a non-Salzedo player at that time could prove confusing, or at least provoke a lot of discussion and explanation instead of playing during lessons. Miss Chalifoux was also known to swear and tell off-color jokes, though she would never do so in my lessons, to my regret. It is part of what people loved about her. It is painful for Susan to have had that experience, but hey, they came and listened, even if surreptitiously, so she ought to be pleased for that. I say, celebrate everything about the wonderful departed woman, and not be hush-mouthed. After all, what do you think she would say? I hear "Fiddlesticks!" echoing, myself.

by saul davis on 08/22/08

Tribute to a Beloved Teacher and Friend

I studied with Alice Chalifoux both at the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, Maine and at Oberlin. I first met her when I was just 14 years old. I remember when she met me at the airport in Portland, Maine and drove me up to Camden. She had a huge impact on my life. She gave me more than just harp lessons, she became a dear friend. I loved her very much, and I will miss her greatly. She was an amazing woman! Laura, your tribute was perfect! It painted a beautiful picture of who this woman was. She will be missed by so many people that she touched so deeply. Goodbye Miss Chalifoux, and thank you for EVERYTHING!

by Heidi O'Gara Jellison on 09/13/08

Brush aside old hurts

I had the privilege of studying with Alice Chalifoux for 16 consecutive summers, beginning in 1985. I can't conceive of the word "abusive" being used in conjunction with her name for any reason. I'm sorry that Susan Allen was hurt by comments made by students thirty years ago, and wonder that a seasoned professional such as herself, playing the Debussy Danses with the Vermeer Quartet, would place any credibility in such comments. To have suffered in silence all this time over a comment that can not now be proven to be true or otherwise is needless. To choose this moment to bring it to light, as so many of us are grieving her passing, is thoughtless, damaging, and disturbing. The Alice Chalifoux that I knew encouraged her students to attend as many concerts and recitals as one could, believing that the more exposure one had to different forms of music by different performers added to the total learning experience and made one a better all-round musician. I agree with Susan, though, that we harpists ought to work harder at finding reasons to bring us all together in encouragement and support, but bringing up an old hurt occasioned by students thirty years ago seems like a bad example to start with.

by Wallace Ford on 10/03/08

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