Harp Column Blogs: Laura Byrne

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!"

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in the harp world! Whether you are a Harpist - Mom or a mother of a harpist, I hope you "Take 5" and celebrate your day. However, having only ONE DAY to celebrate motherhood seems outrageously insufficient to me. After all, we feed, clothe, clean, nurture, save the world, and create miracles on a daily basis, and yet we only get one day? I know, I know, nag, nag, nag, yes we are good at that too. How else would we get you to go out and make something of yourself?

I will be working this Mother's Day, but I don't mind as it was my choice. In fact, I am one of those Moms who loves her work AND her children. How lucky I am that my Mom's generation fought so hard for me to have that choice; never mind that I have to work to support my family.
As I look forward to Mother's Day I remember my own mother and all the wonderful women who have supported me in my life. Even though my Mom is no longer living, she still influences me in my decisions
on a daily basis. I am grateful to my women friends who have supported me especially when I gave up my career for several years to raise my children. Although it was hard and exhausting, I would not have traded those years for anything. Now that my kids are older they see me working and are proud of my accomplishments. They have seen me overcome so many obstacles and still succeed in spite of some individuals who would rather I didn't. As a working mother, I have had to fight the back-handed prejudice against women with children who have successful careers. Having recently been accused of being "too blessed", I can only imagine the tortured minds that could rationalize someone else's success in such a distorted view. As one friend recently reminded me, you know you are really succeeding when the "eyes of jealousy" appear out of nowhere. And yet, I don't see myself as successful as so many people I admire. In fact, I see so many amazing people doing fantastic things that I feel like a tortoise in this "race for success". I guess I look at things differently now that I am older and have seen "the good, the bad, and the ugly". The prize is not always "winning" but "giving your personal best" and "how you play the game" that is most important.

As I look around at my working women friends I appreciate the wisdom of their experience and they appreciate mine. I also appreciate the wisdom of my non-working women friends who sacrificed their careers for their children. We know all too well the pain and sacrifice that mingles with the joys of our success and that of our children. But what is success? I know I feel it when I play well, and my students play well. I also know it when my children throw their arms around me and say good job Mom! This is usually followed by what's for dinner and can we make cookies tonight? As I consider the endless grind of the "schedule", the shopping, the dishes, and the laundry, I remind myself how lucky I am. After all,
I get to play the most beautiful instrument in the universe and make gorgeous music too-in fact, I'm half way to heaven already!

Every New Year's Day I review the past year and write out a list of goals that I hope to accomplish in the new year. I divide my goals into categories in my professional and personal life and see where it takes me. As I review the past year I am pleased that I accomplished so many of my goals and adjusted when I got a few surprises.
One of my primary goals in 2007 was to achieve more balance in my life and work "smarter". After battling a serious bout of bronchitis and the flu last Christmas, I decided to make my health a priority. I got serious and joined a health club and really made an effort. I credit diet, yoga, and weight lifting for giving me real physical stamina in my life and work this past year. I did not get seriously sick and was able to sustain a very heavy work schedule all year. I lost weight and felt really great most of the time.
I organized my practice schedule for my major performances for the year and prepared well in advance for performance readiness. I sailed through a lot of the tough repertoire without the usual pre-performance stress. This was a new experience for me and I loved being so prepared . I was able to accept a lot of other work because I already had my big rep "in the hands".
I shared my preparation and performances with my students so they could see that I really do practice what I preach/teach. It was good for them to see their teacher work using the same preparation process for performance.
As a teacher I watched my students push through to new levels of ability. I sent some of my younger students to the Rabun's Gap Harp camp and they caught the "harp fever". They had a blast and made some new friends in the process. They are already practicing in preparation for next summer and are very excited.
As I put 2007 in perspective I am pleased with my accomplishments and counting my blessings. In spite of some bewildering disappointments I find I still have more wins than losses. I made some beautiful chamber music with my faculty colleagues at UNC, performed the Debussy- "Danses Sacree et Profane" at Duke and received lovely reviews. I also performed parts of the Mahler "Resurrection Symphony" in Duke Chapel on Easter Sunday and believe me that was a memory! I had a lot of fun working with some really stellar musicians this year and they reminded me of the importance of joy in performance. This was especially helpful when trapped in "Nutcracker Hell" and trying really hard not to go insane after 14 performances. Years ago I performed 29 "Nuts" in a Ballet run but alas, I was younger then. I am really so impressed with Broadway musicians who play the same show for years and don't fall asleep. ; )
In looking ahead to 2008 I have some new goals in mind. I am continually inspired by so many of my faculty colleagues and old harpist friends who are finding real success in their careers. "Success" has a broad definition in my mind and balance has become the barometer of my contentment. I still have struggles but my kids keep me grounded and remind me of what is most important. I look forward to having more fun with my family and friends and celebrating my teacher's 100th birthday this year!
I hope everyone has a great 2008 and enjoys great health and happiness!
CHEERS!