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Harp Teacher Directory

Samantha Wittchen

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Location

Region

United States,

Teaching locations

Private studio, College or University

Faculty

University of Pennsylvania

harp info

Harp type

Pedal, Lever

Styles

Classical, Jazz/Pop

Ages and levels

Beginners welcome, Adults welcome, No piano background required

Background

Schools attended

Eastman School of Music - Applied Music

Degrees

Teachers

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Samantha Wittchen

Samantha’s goals as a teacher are to give her students a solid foundation in playing the harp and a more general appreciation of music by exposing them to a wide range of musical styles and providing a fun and supportive environment for them to learn.  She focuses on students’ individual goals, which can vary from becoming a concert soloist to learning how to play for their own enjoyment, and helps them develop a practical approach for reaching those goals. Samantha has been teaching harp for ten years both privately and at the University of Pennsylvania.  She offers private lessons for beginner and advanced students of all ages from her home teaching studio in Philadelphia.

Having attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, for two years before completing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Virginia, Samantha believes that a well-rounded musician is a better musician.  Her students work on a balance of technique, diverse repertoire development and music theory.  Additionally, Samantha teaches general musicianship skills, practice techniques, and about the proper care and feeding of the instrument.

Each lesson may include:

  • Reviewing exercises to improve hand position and learn new techniques
  • Learning new music, including fingering, dynamics and rhythms
  • Tackling problems in pieces from the previous week
  • Learning how to practice more effectively
  • Sight-reading!
  • Sam telling silly stories about playing the harp, singing loudly or dancing around the room