harpcolumn

Remembering Joanne Snider (1929–2023)

Remembering Joanne Snider (1929–2023)

Joan Snider passed away at home in La Jolla, California, on February 28, 2023, after 93 grand years of life. She had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and called on hospice for support in her final days. Joan was born in West Frankfort, Illinois, on October...

Remembering Phyllis L. Ensher-Peters (1931–2022)

Remembering Phyllis L. Ensher-Peters (1931–2022)

Harpist Phyllis L. Ensher-Peters, 91, of Wyomissing, Pa., passed away on December 18, 2022, at Reading Hospital after a brief illness. Born in West Bridgewater, Mass., she was a daughter of Napoleon and Virginia (Essayan) Ensher. She started playing the harp at the...

Remembering Dr. F. David Rollo (1939–2022)

Remembering Dr. F. David Rollo (1939–2022)

The USA International Harp Competition shared news of the passing of its Chair of the Board, Dr. F. David Rollo, in a post on its Facebook page earlier this week. The post reads: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dr. F. David Rollo, Chair of the...

Remembering Susanna Mildonian (1940–2022)

Remembering Susanna Mildonian (1940–2022)

Armenian-Italian harpist Susanna Mildonian died Oct. 7, 2022, in her home in Brussels, Belgium, after a prolonged illness. The daughter of Armenian parents, Mildonian was born July 2, 1940, in Venice, Italy. She studied harp with Margerita Cicognari at the Benedetto...

Remembering Ellis Schuman (1931–2022)

Remembering Ellis Schuman (1931–2022)

Ellis Schuman, composer, pianist, harpist, and teacher, passed away on June 22, 2022, in San Francisco. Born May 25, 1931, in Chicago, he received his early education in his hometown. He continued his studies earning degrees in music from Roosevelt University and Ohio...

Remembering Molly E. Hahn

Remembering Molly E. Hahn

Harpist, teacher, mentor, and champion of the harp, Molly Hahn passed away on May 11, 2022, at the age of 92. She was also my mom, my first teacher, and my biggest fan. At age 5, Molly’s grandmother gifted her with her first harp. She wanted her to learn an instrument...

Remembering Donna Hossack

Remembering Donna Hossack

Canadian harpist Donna Louise Hossack, age 91, died at Vancouver General Hospital, on April 25, 2022. Beloved mother of Anne and Carl Rosenberg, Donna was predeceased by her parents, Donald Ross Hossack and Florence Elvena Hossack, sister Joan Bernd and brother...

Remembering Jim Palmer

Remembering Jim Palmer

Harpist Jim Palmer of Maryville, Missouri, died on March 22, 2022, after a brief illness. Jim performed in many prestigious settings in his home state of New York including the United Nations, Guild Theatre, the TOBAY Distinguished Artists Series, and numerous...

Remembering Roslyn Rensch (1923–2021)

Remembering Roslyn Rensch (1923–2021)

Harpist, author, and historian Roslyn Rensch Erbes Noah died Nov. 6, 2021, in Manhattan, New York. “Roslyn was my dear friend and mentor, and I had the great honor of caring for her for the last ten years of her life,” harpist Meko (aka Mike Walls) says. “She was a...

Remembering Kelly Yousoufian

Remembering Kelly Yousoufian

The Michigan harp community was shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of our dear friend Kelly Yousoufian, who died on July 26, 2021. Kelly was an accomplished harpist and a 1980 graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, who had performed in New York,...