Harp Column Blogs: Brandee YoungerArchive

About a month ago, I spent the start of my weekend playing with another harpist, for the first graders at a charter School in Brooklyn, New York.  As is often the case, many of them had never before seen a harp, (let alone, 2 at the same time) and were shocked at the size, and sound of it.  The week prior to our visit, they learned all about the harp, so they were able to intelligently answer each question that was asked.  Afterward, I couldn’t help but wonder if one of these children would end up playing the harp one day, from this one visit.

I am not sure how most harpists began playing the harp, but I do know that I was a random case.  I had never been exposed to a harp, nor could my parents afford a harp or lessons and in the neighborhood where I grew up, a harp was completely unheard of.  When I was a teen, my father introduced me to a woman that played a little troubadour, and a brief mentorship led my life down an unexpected path.

I thought about these children for weeks after the workshop, and would be thrilled to know if just one of them decided to take this path.  I wondered if they realized that by us being there, the green light of opportunity was lit.  There’s definitely a way, where there is a will.  I did not have the resources in the beginning, yet with the will, and good faith of many, this is now my career.

I’m hoping to figure out how to post a couple of pictures below of the workshop...that I gave with the other harpist, who also happens to be my very first harp instructor!

I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on a job, and someone asks, “Is this your side job?”  Sometimes it happens over the phone, when a client is shopping around for a harpist. They say, “We’ve never heard you play, so can you tell us a bit about yourself? What do you do during the day? “ or “What do you do during the week?” Sometimes, I stand frozen in place and then remember that we are often viewed as free-spirited art-lovers, that fulfill our passion every weekend at someone’s cocktail party, wedding or at an orchestra concert.

I do not think that many people understand that this is our profession. To help them, my response to such questions is usually along the lines of: Did you major in elementary education, then receive a Graduate degree to become a teacher on weekends? Are you a pediatrician on the side? If so, that’s a great deal of work and schooling you put in, to just do that on the side :)  Sure, it makes some people feel a bit silly, but some still don’t understand.

Yes, many harpists have spent (and still do spend) hours shedding scales, pieces, etudes and excerpts and received undergraduate, graduate and post graduate degrees in harp performance.

Here in New York, any given week may consist of:

• A Recording Session
• Practice
• Rehearsals, rehearsals
• A Concert
• Practice
• Teaching
• Emailing/telephoning regarding business
• Playing an event
• Networking to make new contacts
• Travel

So, I’m wondering how on earth, all of this, could in any way be a side job. The answer is “No. This is not a side job.” This is very difficult work with extremely incredible rewards!