“I love to garden, play golf, read thrillers and walk and play with my dogs Baby (left, a Teacup Poodle) and Mopsy (right, a Morkie).
Susann McDonald will give a masterclass on the works of Renie on Thursday, Jun 5.
1Â What was the moment you knew you wanted to become a harpist?
In the 3rd grade I wore white gloves to school. My teacher suggested I take them off, but I responded that I needed to protect my fingers as I was going to be a concert harpist! (My teacher recounted this to my mother)
2 What’s your absolute favorite piece to play on the harp and why?
I don’t have one favorite, I love Renie’s Dance des lutins and Piece Symphonique, and her transcriptions of Liszt’s music, Un Sospiro and The Nightingale.
3 Complete this sentence: If I weren’t a harpist, I’d be a ___
Doctor. I had a favorite aunt who was a surgeon and I admired her greatly.
4Â Favorite food:
I love sushi and Mexican cuisine
5Â Favorite city in the world:
Etretat, a small city on the Normandie coast where I studied with Mlle. Renie as a teenager and played golf on the beautiful coastal cliff golf course, have revisited it and love the fresh seafood, and delicious French pastries.
6Â The most important element of good harp technique is:
Perhaps suppleness and relaxation.
7Â What was your first harp?
A Lyon & Healy Style 12.
8 Name something you’ve never done in your career that’s on your bucket list:
I would love to make a hole in one!
9 What’s the career accomplishment that you’re most proud of?
A recital I performed in Minnesota-St Paul for the AHS national conference, I played most of Mlle. Renie’s major works and transcriptions in tribute to her.
10What’s the best advice you can give an aspiring harpist?
Love the harp and work hard.
