The Career of a Professional Harpist

[Kat B]

Kay,

I want to thank you for your input a LOT, it really resonated with me.

Kat

[eliza-morrison]

What a wonderfully thought-provoking thread. As I reflect on my 30 years of work as a harpist, what I can offer is that it is not an easy road, but uniquely rewarding. Performing is stressful, and there is financial stress, as well. Instruments are expensive, as are private lessons, university and conservatory educations.

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

Working abroad is an option when an orchestra holds auditions in this country. Quite a few harpists worked in Latin American orchestras in the 1980s and 90s. Some work on cruise ships, and now we see positions in resorts in the Middle East.
My impression is that in many foreign countries, where schools and orchestras are state-supported, we Americans cannot get any jobs. Or, at least that was known to be true of German orchestras, and maybe still true with teaching positions. Very few are ever advertised, but the internet at least makes it possible to find out about them. Meanwhile, some of our positions are held by foreign-born harpists, as we are more open to immigration than the countries they came from. There is certain to be more government arts funding in European countries, at least until very recently. It is quite hard for American harpists to do well, I don’t think many people realize that. It is very competitive, the resources are unevenly distributed, the level of harp activity varies widely from one area to another, etc. Many people here wish to play harp and can’t afford one, or the instruction. Most students who inquire about lessons seem to only have enough for lessons or an instrument, but not both.

[Julietta Anne Rabens]

This is a fantastic thread, and I have appreciated reading the well thought out comments here.

[unknown-user]

Yes, it’s important for a professional musician to be flexible,
but also to know where to draw the line so that one’s dignity is not compromised.
For example, singing and playing James Brown’s “I Feel Good” on
a national televised talent show may actually make you feel not so good afterward:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lfqJKGQTs

[eliza-morrison]

Julietta, what a wonderful comment! It reminds me of an old

[Julietta Anne Rabens]

I wanted to mention something inspiring I encountered related to the issue of

[Harper Cait]

Funny what one poster said about never earning enough to retire to the Caribbean. My husband and I are moving to the Caribbean in the fall where I am

[Stephen Conor]

Like what most members answered, most professional harpist have a mixed life. Not all are part of an orchestra, or a harp teacher in a music school. Or more to say, make a living out of it. I think it would be best if you take it as a hobby more than a way of living.

[barbara-kraichy–2]

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