The Harp Department at Eastman School of Music is pleased to host a three-day residency with international harpists Catherine Michel and Andrew Chan from March 28-30, 2024. These distinguished artists come to Rochester from Paris, France and Toronto, Canada respectively. This residency, solely focused on the harp, is the first of its kind at Eastman. All events are free, and the public is invited to attend.

On Thursday, March 28, Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership will present a class led by Chan in Messinger 1 (10 Gibbs Street) at 12:35 p.m. Titled Succeed in the New World, Chan describes the session as “an interactive discussion about the challenges and opportunities that diversity offers musicians of the 21st century.”

During the following evening, on Friday, March 29, Michel will lead a masterclass at 6:30 p.m. in Eastman’s newly renovated Howard Hanson Hall. Eastman students will have the opportunity to play for and garner feedback from the award-winning harpist.

The artists will culminate with a performance in Hatch Recital Hall at 2:30 p.m on Saturday, March 30. Kathleen Bride, Professor of Harp, excitedly shares that this concert is “an event not to be missed.” She elaborates: “The concert, titled From Versailles to Hollywood, is filled with wonderful music for one and two harps, accompanied by a string quartet of Eastman students. It is a beautiful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.” This special performance will be followed by a reception at Betty’s Café, outside Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to view a 1785 Cousineau harp. This rare Parisian instrument, graciously on loan from Paul Knoke, a local harpist/collector, will be displayed on the Hatch Recital Hall stage for the first half of the concert, and will then be moved to the area opposite Betty’s Café during the reception from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Seating in Hatch Recital Hall is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. For those who are unable to make it in person, the concert on March 30 will be livestreamed here.

Learn more about studying Harp at Eastman by visiting us online. To view all upcoming events at Eastman, our Events Calendar includes the most up-to-date information.

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