Temple University harp student Medgina Maitre was in for a big surprise when she arrived at a harp ensemble rehearsal earlier this spring. The Philadelphia-based Lyra Society presented Maitre with a new concert grand harp as the winner of the inaugural Ann Hobson Pilot Award. The prize was sponsored by Lyon & Healy/Salvi Harps and by Joslyn Ewart. Ewart also supported Maitre’s tuition at Temple University.
Founded in 2004 by Philadelphia Orchestra principal harpist Elizabeth Hainen, the Lyra Society is a program offering harps and harp lessons at no cost to under-resourced students in Philadelphia schools. Lyra Society Founder and Artistic Director Elizabeth Hainen says the award is named after a harpist she looks up to. “Ann Hobson Pilot gave me the inspiration to establish the Lyra Society,” Hainen explains. She says the award is intended for “an outstanding alum of the Lyra Society’s GLISSANDO! harp education program who completes a degree in music performance, demonstrates excellence in harp musicianship, and pursues a professional career as a harpist.”
Hainen explains that Pilot’s influence also contributed to the founding of the Lyra Society’s education program. “GLISSANDO! is the harp education program for the Lyra Society. It was established after I discovered several aging concert grand harps within the school district and learned of the great legacy at Philadelphia High School for Girls, the alma mater of retired principal harpists Paula Page (Houston Symphony), Susan Dederich-Pejovich (Dallas Symphony), and Ann Hobson Pilot (Boston Symphony). The program is taught at five Philadelphia schools and one in Bronx, N.Y., in partnership with the Midori & Friends organization.”
Besides offering harp lessons, the program helps its alumni continue their education at colleges, universities, and conservatories. This year’s graduates are attending schools like Curtis, Penn, and Princeton. While not every student becomes a professional harpist, every graduate so far has gone on to post-secondary education.
Hainen speaks highly of the accomplishments of this year’s award recipient, Medgina Maitre. “From the start, she was so in love with the harp,” Hainen says. She adds that Maitre’s determination to audition for music school—after only two years of studying the harp and with limited time to practice—was an inspiration. During Maitre’s studies with Hainen at Temple University, she has continued to tackle new repertoire, memorize solo pieces, and perform music with chamber groups and orchestras.
We asked Maitre to share more about herself and the experience of receiving the 2023 Ann Hobson Pilot Award.
What are your dreams for your career?
There are so many things I want to do in my career. I want to curate shows, big concerts where I show off my instrument, and my knowledge of art; both for me, and for other artists. I want to collaborate with people in different genres and disciplines. I want to compose movie scores/soundtracks, and instrumental music; and play with an array of ensembles and orchestras. And most importantly, I want to teach. I want to pass on the things that were taught to me, the lessons I learned, and encourage my students, my audiences, and my peers to go after what they want. I aim to push boundaries within the industry, creating openings for the generations that will come after me.
What is your favorite part of being a harpist?
My favorite part about being a harpist is seeing the way my audiences react to my music. I want to play and make people feel something. When I play for the elderly, it’s the most magical thing to see them connect with my sound, and I can tell it means a lot to them. I love how every time I play for my mom, she gives me advice that is more descriptive and involved than the last time; it’s like she is learning this language with me. When I play for my little siblings, nieces and nephews, and I see their little eyes glued to my hands. When I play for my friends, and they cry because they know what happened behind the scenes to get to the performance. When I play for my teacher, and I can see that I am making her proud.
Perhaps most of all, it’s looking in the mirror and seeing the beautiful young woman I am becoming. Watching my technique and abilities grow from only being able to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” I love to look at that little girl inside who had dreams as big as her eyes and tell her that “we’re doing it.”
Tell us about the Lyra Society from your perspective.
On the first day of high school, I remember hearing my principal announce that harp auditions were happening at the end of the day. I decided to go because I just needed something to do, completely unaware that I would fall in love with the instrument. Without the Lyra Society, I wouldn’t have been playing the harp; they are not the easiest instruments to find.
Not only does this program provide accessibility, it provides an amazing support system of teachers and classmates who push you to work towards what you want, whatever that may be. I remember when I told my former teacher Elizabeth Steiner that I wanted to go to music school. I was so nervous that I wasn’t good enough; she told me to go for it, and I did. We all dove in, I got new repertoire, Ms. Hainen gave me lessons every Saturday on top of my weekly lessons with Ms. Steiner. The next thing I know, I’m auditioning for music schools. Everyone involved in the Lyra Society is committed to making sure their students succeed. I am so grateful for them, and they will forever be my first harp home.
Describe the moment you found out you would receive this award.
I didn’t know I would be receiving this award until the moment Ms. Hainen announced it, and I cried the entire day afterwards. I knew something was up when I saw Ms. Steiner and Helen [Gerhold, executive director of the Lyra Society] walk in, then I saw Ann Hobson Pilot on the monitor! I jumped out of my seat completely in shock that I was meeting one of my idols. I have looked up to Ms. Pilot since the day I learned of her legacy at Girls High.
At that point, I assumed the award was for me because I was the only one involved with Lyra on the stage. I was not expecting a harp! I still can’t believe it. I remember listening to Ms. Hainen describe what came with the award; I kept saying in my head, “no way, no way.” When she announced my name, I completely lost it. I was so emotional that I could barely speak.
What does the award of a new harp make possible for you?
This harp makes so many things possible for me. I didn’t think I would have one until after I graduated with my master’s degree. This is a huge burden that has been lifted from me. I’ll be able to practice without having to run home because it’s getting dark. I’ll be able to take gigs without any fear of harp availability. This is the harp I will use to continue advancing my technique. It’s the harp I will be using to compose the music for all of the projects I want to execute; the one I can bring to nursing homes, to soothe some minds, and the one I’ll use to play nursery rhymes for my baby brother. This harp means a lot to me, and to be the inaugural recipient of this award is something I will always cherish. I will continue to work hard to live up to all that it represents.
