Performing
Kathryn Harms is in demand as an orchestral harpist, chamber musician, and soloist in Colorado and the greater United States. For the 2018/2019 season, she performed as acting principal harpist with the New Mexico Philharmonic, and she regularly appears as principal harpist with various ensembles including the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Opera Southwest, and the San Juan Symphony. She is a substitute for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, principal harpist of the Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, and a frequent guest artist with ensembles such as the Ars Nova Singers.
New Music
An avid promoter of new music, Kathryn regularly collaborates with composers to encourage quality and inventive composition for the harp. She was selected to perform at the 2019 American Harp Society National Institute in Winston-Salem, NC, at a new music concert titled, “Collaboration, The Heart of Innovation,” and she was also an invited soloist at the Society of Composers, Inc. 2018 National Convention in Tacoma, WA. In 2015, she was a recipient of an American Harp Society, Inc. grant to commission a chamber piece for harp and string quartet that integrates the harpist as a true chamber musician: I ran out of black paint and sunshine by Kurt M. Mehlenbacher. This piece premiered as the finale of the 2015-2016 CU Pendulum New Music Concert Series.
Teaching
With experience teaching a wide range of ages and levels, Kathryn Harms is dedicated to imparting her knowledge and love of music through innovative teaching and mentoring. She is the harp faculty member at Colorado State University and maintains a thriving private studio. She creates opportunities for students to participate in group studio classes and performance opportunities in addition to their private lessons, and her students vary widely in age, level, and pursuits. She is currently designing a new summer harp opportunity to be hosted by CSU in 2024 and was formerly on faculty at Rocky Mountain Springs Harp Program from 2017-2022.
Educational Background
Kathryn Harms received her Master of Music degree in Harp Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder as a student of Janet Harriman. During her time at CU Boulder, she was the harp studio’s teaching assistant and frequently taught supplemental lessons to undergraduate harp students in addition to coaching chamber groups and preparing students for large ensembles. Kathryn received her Bachelor of Music degree in Harp Performance from Ball State University as a student of Elizabeth Richter. Her studies at Ball State included formal course instruction on harp pedagogy and literature, guided teaching, frequent masterclasses, guest artists, and a supportive studio environment that encouraged and inspired excellence. Kathryn attended Ball State University as an Emens and Presidential Scholar, awards for leadership and academic excellence respectively. She was the recipient of the 2012 Presser Scholar award at the Ball State University School of Music and made her international solo recital debut at Mukogawa Women’s University in Nishinomiya, Japan, as the Ball State-Japan exchange soloist. In addition to her music studies, she also received a B. A. in French from Ball State University. Prior to university study, Kathryn studied with Coastal Virginia harpist Vince Zentner, and she was first given the opportunity to begin harp instruction through a rare public school program led by Cynthia Campbell. This program has since evolved and become the Williamsburg Youth Harp Society.