Photo by Dutch Huff
On Playing the Harp
There are so many worse things that one could be doing besides making music. Samantha recognizes this and brings a positive attitude wherever she has the opportunity to perform. She believes strongly that the musical experience is better when the performers are connecting with each other and with their audience, and she feels that it’s important to meet the audience where they are, whether they’re in the seats of a performance hall, having drinks at a nightclub, or eating lunch in a park somewhere.
To that end, she thinks that harpists should move beyond the standard classical harp repertoire and play music that connects with a wide range of audiences, regardless of whether it’s considered “serious harp music.” The harp is an extremely versatile instrument–one that rivals the piano in many ways–and it’s the harpist’s job to make it shine.
From a performance perspective, since the harp is a unique instrument that many people never have the chance to experience in person, she believes it’s imperative to give audiences the chance to engage with the harp and the harpist in a way that’s welcoming and fun.
Every time Sam performs, her goal is to have one member of the audience come up to her and say, “Wow. I never knew the harp could do that.”
Above all else, Sam values professionalism. In all circumstances, whether it’s a high-profile event or a low-key show, her goal is to bring high quality musicianship and a flexible, fun-loving mindset to every performance.