A not so brief story…
Erica, age 11, sitting behind her first harp.
To give you an idea of my professional training and experience, let me share some of my experiences with you:
· At the age of 4, I first became interested in music and began piano lessons.
· Gradually I narrowed down my focus - finding a deep passion for the harp.
· Beginning at the age of 11, I studied with Dominique Piana at Redlands University in her music private harp studio.
· After two years of playing the harp, I won my first award in 1992 – The Valeria Finzi Scholarship Award in Los Angeles.
· After three years of playing, I won an award at the University of Southern California for ASTA’s (American String Teachers’ Association) Harp Division (1993).
· After 6 years of playing I won a Young Artist Award and Performance at Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition (1996).
Gavin O’Hurley, Erica Powell & Kathleen Bride. 2001 ESM Graduation.
The next step on my journey included the prestigious Eastman School of Music:
· I auditioned for the Eastman School of Music, early in the summer of 1996, and was accepted for fall 1997. I was so excited to be a part of a musical institution known for its commitment to excellence and to developing young talent.
· It was my great honor to study with Kathleen Bride at the Eastman School of Music for four years between 1997-2001.
After finishing my time at the Eastman School of Music, I performed with symphonies around northern New York including:
· Utica Symphony
· Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra
· Southern Finger Lakes Orchestra
· Batavia Symphony.
Changing gears, I worked behind the scenes with EMI/Virgin Classics/Blue Note Records/Angel Records. My responsibilities included artist management, marketing and PR for artists such as Sarah Chang, Placido Domingo, Sarah Brightman and Norah Jones. It was an invaluable experience working on the “business side” of the music business.
After working for several years behind the scenes, I got back to performing. First aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner and then her sister ship the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner. Disembarking in 2004, I moved to the United Kingdom to explore the musical world on the other side of the Atlantic. Some of the highlights of this period include:
Taking the post of Harp Tutor at The Sage Gateshead Music Centre, A British Centre of Excellence. While working at the music centre, I had the opportunity and privilege to perform at historical castles and cathedrals, around the UK – including regularly performing at the Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage Site.
In Durham, I participated in:
· Durham Sinfonia (UK – Durham)
· Durham Cathedral Choir Association (UK – Durham)
· Durham University Orchestral Society (UK – Durham)
Other music organizations I performed with during my tenure in the UK included:
· The Northern Sinfonia (UK – Newcastle, Gateshead)
· The Cobweb Orchestra (UK)
· Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines – (Newcastle upon Tyne)
· Louth Choral Society (UK – Louth)
· New Tyneside Orchestra (UK)
· St. Cecilia Orchestra (UK – Ripon Cathedral)
· Sinfonia of Leeds (UK – Leeds)
· York Musical Society (UK – York Minster)
· Regional première of Lazarus Requiem by Patrick and Andrew Hawes, with the Eastern Sinfonia conducted by Martin Pickering, St. James’s Church, Louth.
Feeling a little homesick, it was time to return to the USA and to Orange County California at the end of 2008. Once there, I worked for Salvi Harps, Inc. Seeking a balance between work and teaching, I built a private teaching studio and harp ensemble; while finding the time to perform in various venues in Orange and Los Angeles counties including:
· Cal State University, Fullerton – Wind Symphony (CA)
· Coachella Valley Symphony (CA)
· Fullerton College Wind Symphony (CA)
· Golden State Pops Orchestra (CA)
· Mt. San Antonio Community College (CA)
· Orange County Wind Symphony (CA)
· Orange County Symphony (CA)
· Riverside Community College Symphony and Wind Symphony (CA)
· San Luis Obispo Symphony (CA)
· South East Symphony (CA)
From 2009-2013, I was the resident harpist at The Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast.
From 2011 - 2013, I had the privilege of teaching harp masterclasses at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA).
From 2011-2012, I appeared on the following television shows:
· Fox’s hit TV show GLEE - * Season 4, Episode 9; * Season 4, Episode 13
· Bravo’s TV series The Real Housewives of Orange County - * Season 8, Episode 23
Beginning in Dec 2013, I had the privilege of performing with the Phoenix Symphony featuring:
· Andrea Bocelli
· Brian Stokes Mitchell
· Audra McDonald
Since moving back to the desert, I have taught many burgeoning musical students, along with performing regularly at local venues. Highlights include:
· From 2014 - 2019, I created and developed an elementary harp program within the Palm Springs Unified School District. Introducing and teaching harp to 40-60 elementary students every school year.
· Also in 2014, I had the opportunity to work at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert in a featured show with Lucie Arnaz.
· Between 2015 - 2020, I have performed regularly at Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells, CA.
It’s been quite an adventure. Thank you taking the time to read some of the highlights. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences along the way and look forward to continuing my teaching and performing. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments – erica@harpistericapowell.com. I look forward to the possibility of working with you, as you explore your musical journey!
My best,
Erica Powell