Harpist Mary Duplantier is the new enlisted principal harp of the United States Coast Guard Band. “I am looking forward to this unique opportunity to be able to live out my passion of playing the harp while also being able to serve my country and be a part of the Coast Guard Band’s mission,” Duplantier says. “I am especially excited to continue the legacy of my childhood harp teacher, Megan Sesma, who was the Coast Guard Band’s previous principal harpist [from 2003 to 2026] as well as the band’s first enlisted harpist. This position is such an incredible full circle moment for me. To have the same job as my teacher, who was my inspiration as a young harpist, and to be able to move back to my hometown in Connecticut—this position is truly a dream come true. [When I was] a young harpist, Megan was always very supportive of my dream to one day be a professional harpist. While many others discouraged me from pursuing the harp professionally, Megan always encouraged and believed in me. It is an absolute honor to be following in her footsteps, and I have very big shoes to fill!”
Before joining the Coast Guard Band, Duplantier was the principal harpist of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and Lima Symphony Orchestra. She is also a frequent substitute harpist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, and Louisville Orchestra. She received both her Artist Diploma and Master of Music in harp performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Gillian Benet Sella, whom Duplantier credits as playing an integral role in her success as an orchestral musician. Duplantier also received her Bachelor of Music in harp performance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with Ann Yeung.
