Julie Smith Phillips
Julie Smith Phillips is Principal Harpist of the San Diego Symphony, head of the harp program at Arizona State University, and a founding member of The Myriad Trio.

Education is an investment of time, money, and energy, but it’s one of the most important investments we can make in order to grow and become better at our craft. As harpists, one of our main opportunities for continuing education is through the various conferences and workshops offered around the country each year. Conferences and workshops are invaluable opportunities to take advantage of the experience and knowledge of presenting harpists. They are opportunities to hear great harpists perform and become musically inspired in your own playing. Ideas presented in a conversation may motivate you to try a new style or technique that you hadn’t thought of before. The classes offered may help rejuvenate your own teaching. They are also a place to mingle and make new friends with other harpists across the country! You never know what you’ll learn or what new ideas will strike you at gatherings like these.

We harpists are often small in number wherever we go, so conferences and workshop events are the best ways to come together to find fresh insights, to feel inspired, and to learn. With so much possibility for growth, yes, I believe conferences and workshops are definitely worth the investment!

—Julie Smith Phillips, San Diego, Calif.

Felice Pomeranz is Professor of harp at Berklee College of Music and Owner/Coordinator of The Gilded Harps.
Felice Pomeranz is Professor of harp at Berklee College of Music and Owner/Coordinator of The Gilded Harps.

I am a firm believer in continuing education, on any level. You always learn something new at these events, regardless of your level. Sometimes it simply affirms things you have been taught or teach yourself, but there is always a new slant to skills or information you might already know.

Spending time with people in your field or hobby of interest sparks all kinds of new information and sharing of ideas. It’s a lot of fun to be with people who share your passion!
These events are terrific for finding out about new equipment, harps, dollies, recordings, and especially music. Spending time in an exhibit hall trying instruments or combing through new and different music is really fun and one of the best aspects of attendance at a festival. It is important to keep current with what is available. If you are in the market for an instrument, conferences often have special offers for the festival and you might receive some kind of discount. In addition, you can get feedback from others about which instrument sounds the best for you. The networking from attending these events is invaluable, as are the new friendships you make. When I return from a conference, I feel invigorated and inspired to approach my music and teaching again.
Last, many aspects of the trip are deductible on your Schedule C of your income tax. It’s a win-win experience!

—Felice Pomeranz, Boston, Mass.

Carolyn Munford is Principal Harpist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, and maintains a private teaching studio in Atlanta.
Carolyn Munford is Principal Harpist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, and maintains a private teaching studio in Atlanta.

I was lucky enough to attend my first harp conference as a teenager, and it was truly life-changing. I came home from that conference inspired and equipped with new music, new practice habits, new techniques to try, and a new vision of what I wanted to accomplish as a harpist. It was actually during that conference that I decided to become a professional harpist! So I think it was definitely a worthwhile investment to attend.

I have been to many conferences over the years and even had the opportunity to help organize the most recent American Harp Society Conference in Atlanta. I always come away inspired to work harder and be better as a harpist. I have made great friends, discovered great music to add to my repertoire, and have loved the feeling of being part of a community, especially when so often the life of a harpist can feel lonely. I believe that attending a conference can be one of the most worthwhile things we do in our musical education, and as a teacher I would encourage students to attend as early as possible—it just might change your life! •

—Carolyn Munford, Atlanta, Ga.