The Phoenix Harp Center (PHC), which serves the harp community in the Southwest United States, will transition to new ownership, effective Jan. 1, 2025. According to a press release, PHC co-owners Stephen R. Hartman (a longtime harpist) and Willard E. White have announced the sale of the business to local musicians Heidi and Juan Hernandez, who are based in nearby Litchfield Park, Ariz. Heidi is a professional harpist with years of performance experience, while Juan serves as a conductor, professor, and assistant dean of music at Grand Canyon University.
“We are honored to step into this role and carry on the legacy of the Phoenix Harp Center,” Heidi Hernandez says. “This showroom and teaching center has been an integral part of the harp community, and we are excited to build upon the incredible foundation laid by Stephen and Willard.”
Her husband Juan states, “As musicians and harpists, we understand the importance of this business to the Southwest harp community. We look forward to continuing to serve and expand its role as a regional hub for harp enthusiasts.”
To maintain continuity, Hartman will remain actively involved with the Phoenix Harp Center, offering private harp lessons and, as a certified technician, providing lever harp regulations. The PHC’s midtown-Phoenix location, telephone number, and website will all remain the same.
Founded in 2017, the PHC serves harpists in metro Phoenix and beyond by providing instruments, accessories, lessons, and technical support. The center is also a frequent meeting place for the local American Harp Society chapter for recitals and competitions for harp students. For more information, visit the PHC’s website.
