The Listening Room
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Two Harp Teachers
Sara has studied with two of the most influential harpists in the United States, Susann McDonald and Lucile Lawrence. Each of them has made very different contributions to the harp community and to young harpists all over the world.
Susann McDonald grew up in the Midwest. At the end of high school she began studying with Henriette Renie, the founder of the Renie Method, in Paris. Ms. McDonald won the second prize in the International Harp Contest in Israel and then went on to have an extensive solo career including several performances in Carnegie Hall as well as performances for royalty all over the world. She has released numerous recordings and has an enormous repertoire.
Ms. McDonald currently heads the Indiana University harp department, the largest harp department in the world, where she has received the honor of Distinguished Professor. Previously she was head of the Juilliard harp department in New York City.
In addition she also founded the World Harp Congress and the USA International Harp Competition.
Lucile Lawrence was a major proponent of the Salzedo technique. She grew up in New Orleans and began playing harp at an early age. Soon her talent was recognized and she began studying with Carlos Salzedo, founder of the Salzedo Method. Carlos and Lucile were married when Lucile was 20. Shortly after that Salzedo founded the harp department at the Curtis Institute of Music, where both Carlos Salzedo and Lucile Lawrence would teach harp.
Together they authored Method for the Harp which led to many future generations of "Salzedo technique" harpists. Although Salzedo was French born and raised many harpists identify the technique as primarily American.
Miss Lawrence had a major career early on performing with major orchestras and in most of the important concert halls. Later in life she focused her energies on teaching. She taught at Boston University, The Manhattan School of Music, and the Boston University Summer Institute for many years.
Ms. McDonald currently heads the Indiana University harp department, the largest harp department in the world, where she has received the honor of Distinguished Professor. Previously she was head of the Juilliard harp department in New York City.
In addition she also founded the World Harp Congress and the USA International Harp Competition.
Lucile Lawrence was a major proponent of the Salzedo technique. She grew up in New Orleans and began playing harp at an early age. Soon her talent was recognized and she began studying with Carlos Salzedo, founder of the Salzedo Method. Carlos and Lucile were married when Lucile was 20. Shortly after that Salzedo founded the harp department at the Curtis Institute of Music, where both Carlos Salzedo and Lucile Lawrence would teach harp.
Together they authored Method for the Harp which led to many future generations of "Salzedo technique" harpists. Although Salzedo was French born and raised many harpists identify the technique as primarily American.
Miss Lawrence had a major career early on performing with major orchestras and in most of the important concert halls. Later in life she focused her energies on teaching. She taught at Boston University, The Manhattan School of Music, and the Boston University Summer Institute for many years.
Susann McDonald