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Remembering Genevieve Claire Winkenbach; 1928–2014

Genevieve Duffy Winkenbach, December 30, 1928–December 21, 2014
March 1, 2015

Genevieve Claire (Duffy) Winkenbach of Oklahoma City, died on Dec. 21, 2014. A renowned harpist, musician, and teacher, she was born on Dec. 30, 1928 in Omaha, Neb. to Dr. Francis and Ruth Duffy of Enid.

Ms. Winkenbach graduated from Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita, Kan., in 1946; earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind., in 1950; and earned her master’s degree from Long Island University in New York in 1974. She studied with Carlos Salzedo, both in New York City and at his summer harp colony in Camden, Maine. She was a member of the touring harp quintet The Angelaires from 1953–1955 and performed as the solo orchestral harpist in “Music with the Hormel Girls” on CBS weekly radio. She also performed with the Duke Ellington Band in 1955, at the Cotillion Room of the Pierre Hotel in 1955, on TV commercials for Helene Curtis in 1957, the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1958, and with the Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, N.Y. She made two recordings, Christmas Collage, the proceeds from which were donated to local hospitals, and Reminiscing, for harp and bass.

She was a dedicated teacher, utterly devoted to the Salzedo method. She taught the Suzuki method for harp and organized annual Christmas concerts with her students at local hospitals and nursing homes.

Ms. Winkenbach was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother (Fr. Tom Duffy), and husband (Warren Winkenbach). She is survived by two children; a daughter, Mary Ruth Moore, and a son, Peter John Winkenbach, as well as five grandchildren.

—by Adrienne Gardner

Original post by Harp Column Staff 1/2/15:

We are sad to report the passing of Genevieve Duffy Winkenbach, who died on December 21, 2014. Genevieve earned her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame where she studied with Sister Trinitas, who was trained by Alberto Salvi. After graduation, Genevieve moved to Manhattan where she studied with Carlos Salzedo and performed as a member of the Angelaires along with Carol Baum, Elyze Yockey, Marian Harding and Jeanne Fintz Goldstein. She spent her later years teaching and performing in the Oklahoma City, OK area.

Winkenbach was a member of The Angelaires ensemble, which toured under the direction of Carlos Salzedo.

Winkenbach was a member of The Angelaires ensemble, who toured under the direction of Carlos Salzedo.

Ed. note: thanks to Adrienne Wager Gardner for contributing to this article. 

 

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