Vanessa Young, harpist

• About
• Resume
• Listen
• Performances
• Weddings
• Other Events
• Harp Lessons
• Testimonials
• Gallery
• Contact

• About

  About

  • Vanessa Young is a talented harpist, who began her harp studies at the age of twelve and continues her education in music and harp performance currently at the post-graduate level. She is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she began her studies with harpist Jeanne Henderson and later with principal harpist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sarah Bullen. Her passion for music took her to the east coast where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in music performance at Eastman School of Music, studying with Kathleen Bride. A lover of learning, she kept pursuing her education onto the graduate level, taking her to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to study with Gretchen Van Hoesen, principal harpist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Mellon University. She is currently working on her doctorate at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California studying with JoAnn Turovsky, principal harpist of the LA Opera and studio harpist.

    
    

    Vanessa has been awarded the Howard Hanson Scholarship award, the Eileen Malone Scholarship award, and the Carnegie Mellon Fellowship and Assistantship scholarships for her harp performance. As  a member of the prestigious National Music Honor Society, Pi Kappa Lambda she is recognized for her excellence in performance in conjunction with her high academic distinction. As principal harpist of the Debut Orchestra, she has enjoyed touring in China and performing under the direction of John Williams, and Michael Tilson Thomas. She has enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Public Theater, McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, American Youth Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonic Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Thornton Symphony Orchestra, Thornton Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Thornton Wind Ensemble. A few specific highlights include performing with Ben Folds and the Video Games Live show with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and orchestral performances with Carnegie Mellon Symphony orchestra in Carnegie Hall, New York City and the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.  In addition to orchestral and solo performance, Vanessa greatly enjoys collaborating with other musicians in chamber groups. Beyond music she enjoys time with her pug, Lia, long distance running, yoga, reading and spending time outdoors. 

    
    

    
    

• Resume

  Resume
  • Vanessa's Performance Resume

    
    

    Performance Experience:

    
    

    -Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, substitute harpist

    -Erie Philharmonic, substitute harpist

    -Pittsburgh Public Theater

    -McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, substitute harpist

    -Debut Orchestra, principal harpist

    -American Youth Symphony, substitute harpist

    -Thornton Symphony Orchestra

    -Thornton Contemporary Music Ensemble

    -Thornton Wind Ensemble

    -Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic

    -Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble

    -Carnegie Mellon Opera orchestra

    -Eastman Philharmonia

    -Eastman School Symphony Orchestra

    -Eastman Wind Orchestra & Ensemble

    -Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra with Ithaca Ballet Company

    -Concord Chamber Orchestra

    -Eastbrook Worship Orchestra

    
    

    Education:

    -DMA Harp Performance in progress, University of Southern California

    -MM Harp Performance 2011, Carnegie Mellon University

    -BM Harp Performance 2009, Eastman School of Music

    
    

    Private Teachers:

    -JoAnn Turovsky, principal harp, LA Opera and Studio Harpist

    -Gretchen Van Hoesen, principal harp, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

    -Kathleen Bride, professor of harp, Eastman School of Music

    -Sarah Bullen, principal harp, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    -Jeanne Henderson, private teacher

    
    

    Other Experience:
    -Freelance harpist

    -Private harp teacher

    -Member of American Harp Society

    -Vice President of American Harp Society, Pittsburgh Chapter

    -Member of Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society
• Listen

  Listen
  • Thank you for your patience as this page is in progress.
• Performances

  Performances
  • 2012 Season

    Upcoming Performances:

    
    

    Wednesday, February 29 7:30 pm

    Newman Recital Hall

    University of Southern California

    Contemporary Music Ensemble

    
    

    Sunday, March 25 4:00 pm

    Schoenberg Hall

    University of California, Los Angeles

    Debut Orchestra

    
    

    Wednesday, March 28 7:30 pm

    United University Church

    University of Southern California

    Studio Showcase

    
    

    Sunday, April 1 4:30 pm

    Bovard Hall

    University of Southern California

    Thornton Wind Ensemble

    
    

    Sunday, May 13

    Time and Location TBA

    Guest musician: JGreg Miller, horn

    Doctoral Harp Recital #1 & Special Mother's Day Performance

    
    

    Sunday, June 10

    The Broad Stage

    Santa Monica

    Debut Orchestra

    
    

    Recent Performances:

    
    

    Sunday, February 19

    The Broad Stage

    Santa Monica

    Debut Orchestra

    
    

    Saturday, February 18

    Central Los Angeles High School No. 9

    Debut Orchestra

    
    

    Sunday, February 12

    Bovard Hall

    University of Southern California

    Thornton Wind Ensemble

    
    

    Thursday, January 26

    Bovard Hall

    University of Southern California

    Thornton Symphony Orchestra

    
    

    Sunday, January 15

    Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

    Guest conductors: John Williams, Michael Tilson Thomas

    Debut Orchestra Gala Performance
• Weddings

  Weddings
  • Vanessa is available to provide beautiful harp music for either your ceremony, cocktail hour, reception or a combination of these. 

    
    

    Example of musical order of a Ceremony:

    
    

    15 - 25 minutes of prelude music to provide an elegant background setting for guests as they are seated. *This also includes the option of special music for the seating of the parents or other special guests.

    
    

    Either one musical selection for the processional of the entire bridal party or one for the bride and another the remainder of the bridal party.

    
    

    3 - 5 minutes of interlude usually during the lighting of a unity candle, prayer or special moment of the service

    
    

    An upbeat and celebratory musical selection for the recessional of the newly wedded couple and wedding party.

    
    

    8 - 10 minutes of postlude music to add to the joyous occasion as guests process to the cocktail hour or reception.

    
    

    Example of music for the Cocktail Hour or Reception:

    
    

    1 hour of background music for guests to enjoy their drinks in style with a variety of music such as classical, broadway, or popular genre selections.

    
    

    Please contact Vanessa for information about her rate for performing at weddings by using the contact link in the lower left hand corner.

    
    
• Other Events

  Other Events
  • Vanessa is also available to provide music for events such as dinner parties, social events, bat and bar mitzvahs, church services, funerals or whatever event you may be planning that needs an added element of sophistication or elegance to make it memorable.

    
    

    **Please refer to the contact link in the lower left hand corner to contact Vanessa about fees and rates. 
• Harp Lessons

  Harp Lessons
  • Passionate about teaching, Vanessa is currently pursuing her terminal degree (Doctorate of Musical Arts) in order to teach at the college level and share her love of creating harp music to more students. She has been teaching privately for 9 years with training through the Eastman School of Music Harp Pedagogy class and experience in a classroom setting as teaching assistant for two years at Carnegie Mellon for undergraduate music history courses. Her students have ranged from young beginners to adult students chasing their dream of learning the harp and provided her with the creativity to form her style of teaching to best fit the student's needs. In addition to harp lessons, she is also available for lessons in basic music theory and history for beginners.

    
    

    Lessons are taught either at the length of 30 minutes or 1 hour. Prices are based on the length of the lesson. There is an additional fee for Vanessa to travel to the student's home for the lesson.

    
    

    Please refer to the contact link in the lower left hand corner to inquire about rates and fees for lessons and to set up a meeting with Vanessa.
• Testimonials

  Testimonials
  • Testimonials from various special events, including weddings:

    
    

    "Thank you so much for being here for us today. We appreciate you!" -Terry, 1/2012

    
    

    "Thank you for your music yesterday . . . I wanted you to know how beautiful it was." -Margaret, 8/2008

    
    

    "Congratulations on a splendid recital . . . I was impressed with your artistry and composure. Superb!" -Doug, 10/2008

    
    

    "Congratulations on such an amazing recital . . . you played beautifully!" -Claire, 10/2008

    
    

    "Congratulations on an absolutely enchanting recital! The Ravel Introduction & Allegro was overwhelmingly beautiful and I did not want it to stop. I was simply amazed by your talent!" - Brian 10/2008

    
    

    
    

    Testimonials from students of Vanessa's:

    
    

    "Thank you so much for all the time, love and patience you have sacrificed for me in my harp lessons. I have really felt you have been able to understand and help me as I've tried to better my playing. You have a giving and wonderful spirit- thank you for everything you have taught me!" - Colleen, 2009
• Gallery

  Gallery
  • Thank you for your patience while this page is in progress.