To achieve the self confidence and stamina in a setting that is never the same can be quite scary. The Young Harpists Alliance was created to help young performers over come this obstacle, by helping create friendships, community support, performing opportunities and performance exercises that can help with on-stage success. PRESIDENT, Harpist ALIX RASPÉ has been a student of harp since age 8. A s
ophomore at NYU, Alix is majoring in Harp Performance at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Alix attended Juilliard Pre-College from 2009-2010, 2010-2011. In 2007, Alix received the Annapolis Music Festival Maestro Award as an outstanding soloist. That same year, she was extra in the motion picture, "Reservation Road" and premiered a composition for harp and orchestra commissioned for her and the Greenwich CMS Orchestra entitled "Fidèle" and "Espérance" by noted contemporary composer, Catherine McMichael. Alix has performed in Juilliard’s Paul Hall and Morse Hall, along with Alice Tully Hall and Symphony Space. She also participated in summer festivals such as Bowdoin International Music Festival, MusicAlp, Saratoga Harp Colony, Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific, and Interlochen Arts Camp. Alix has had the distinct privilege of performing with the NYU Symphony Orchestra, NYU Philharmonia Orchestra, QUO, Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra, Norwalk Youth Symphony, and the Interlochen Symphony and Concert Orchestras, the Stamford Young Artists Orchestra and the Music for the Planet Improvisational Ensemble in its Winter Solstice Concerts. This summer Alix coached several young harpists and flutists in duos, trios and ensembles at Elyrica Summer Harp and Flute Camp. Alix currently studies with Bridget Kibbey and has had the privilege of studying with with June Han, Elizabeth Hainen, Rita Costanzi, Isabelle Perrin and Ruth Berman Harris. VICE PRESIDENT, Harpist Hannah Murphy began playing harp at the age of six, studying with Alyssa Reit from then on through high school. During this time she also studied with Barbara Allen for three years, attended the Westchester Conservatory for two years and the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College program for six years, taking classes such as music theory, ear training, and orchestra repertoire, while also participating in orchestra, harp ensemble, and chamber music. Hannah has earned such awards as first place in the 2011 Downbeat Competition (Classical Soloist Division), second place in the 2010 MetroHarp Competition (Advanced Division), and third place in the 2010 International Young Musician’s Festival competition. In addition, she has attended such summer festivals as Richmond Summer Harp Institute, Arizona Harp Seminar, Boston University, Tanglewood Institute, and Bowdoin International Music Festival. She has had the privilege of studying with June Han (at the Bowdoin International Music Festival), whom she will continue her studies with this year at Columbia University. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY, Harpist Violetta Norrie, a member of The New York Youth Symphony, she has performed at Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium and Weill Recital Hall), Symphony Space and The DiMenna Center in New York City. Violetta began studying harp at the age of six. In the past few years, she has performed in master classes for Isabelle Perrin, Principal Harp of L'Orchestre National de France, Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Harp of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mariko Anraku, Principal Harp of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Sarah Bullen, Principal Harp of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Kathleen Bride, Professor of Harp at Eastman School of Music, Elzbieta Szmyt, Professor of Harp at Indiana University and Elisabeth Fontan-Binoche, Professor of Harp at Conservatoire of Lyon and Conservatoire of Nice and Antibes. She has served as Principal Harp of the Amore Opera Theatre Orchestra in New York City. Violetta has performed as Principal Harp in workshop performances of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and Bernstein's "Trouble in Tahiti" for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, conducted by Ryan McAdams. At the 2009 Salvi Harps Summer Institute in California, Violetta performed in recital and was a student of Maria Casale, Gold Medalist at the USA International Harp Competition, and Angel Padilla Crespo, international soloist and recording artist. Violetta placed second in the 2011 American Strings Teachers Association National Competition recently held in Kansas City, MO. She was an honoree in the 2009 American String Teachers Association of New Jersey Solo Strings Competition and the 2010 Solo Harp Competition of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Harp Society.
