Alix Raspé Gray has recently been appointed to two new positions. Raspé Gray won the principal harp position with the Lima Symphony Orchestra in Ohio, replacing former principal harpist Jan Bishop. “I am so excited to take on this new role as principal harpist and to work with the incredible Maestro Andrew Crust,” she says. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to get to perform live concerts again after this challenging pandemic.” Raspé Gray also serves as associate harpist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and was previously the associate harpist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
In the spring of 2021, Raspé Gray began teaching and coaching virtually as adjunct harp professor at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She will join the faculty in person this fall. Phillips Academy, founded in 1778, is a boarding school for secondary education that offers 10 large performance ensembles and 70 student, faculty, and guest concerts each year.
As a teacher, Raspé Gray says she encourages her students to think not only as musicians, but as community builders and musical entrepreneurs and wants them to use their musicianship to serve others and their communities. “I always bring the focus of mindfulness, breath, and movement to lessons, as I am a Yoga Alliance trained yoga teacher,” she adds. In addition to teaching at Phillips Academy, she serves as a harp coach for Boston Symphony Youth Orchestras Summer Camp, as well as with the Chamber Music Connection, a nationally awarded student orchestra recognized by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She also teaches privately and at Brookline Music School.
Raspé Gray received her Bachelor of Music with Bridget Kibbey at New York University, and completed her master’s degree in harp performance with Jessica Zhou at New England Conservatory. Prior to her undergraduate studies, she worked with June Han at Juilliard Pre-College.
