HarpArts

HarpArts Faculty

Harpist Lynne Aspnes is professor of harp at Arizona State University School of Music.

Prior to her move to Tempe, Aspnes served as chair of the string department at the University of Michigan-School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She also served as director of the school's Center for Career Development. Prior to being appointed chair of the string department, Aspnes served for eight years as associate dean for academic affairs and for six years as chair of the school's scholarship committee.

An active performer and teacher, Aspnes appears frequently in solo recitals, chamber music collaborations and as orchestral soloist. With VocalEssence (formerly the Plymouth Music Series of Minnesota) Aspnes has recorded on the Collins Classics, CRI, ProArte, RCA Red Seal and Virgin Classics labels, and with organist John Walker and the choir of the Riverside Church, New York, for the Pro Organo label. As a guest artist, Aspnes has appeared as guest soloist and/or clinician for schools of music and music festivals in Colorado, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, and Paris, France.

As a member of the American Harp Society, Aspnes is a past director of the Concert Artist Program, the primary educational outreach effort of the AHS; a past member of the executive committee and the board of directors. She is a frequent contributor to The American Harp Journal , the professional journal for harpists worldwide. Aspnes performs frequently for AHS national conferences and has co-chaired three conferences and chaired the Ann Arbor, Michigan conference. Aspnes presented the opening recital in San Diego conference and appeared under the auspices of the World Harp Congress at concerts in Vienna, Austria, and Seattle, Washington. Aspnes is a past editor of the Harp Forum for the American String Teacher , the official publication of the American String Teacher's Association, served on the planning board for the 2004 ASTA National Conference, and is a former consultant to the ASTA National Solo Competition.

Aspnes began her training in her native Minnesota with her mother, harpist Frances Miller, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Of her solo recital debut in New York's Carnegie Recital Hall, the New York Times said , "Lynne Aspnes helped the listener recall what a versatile instrument the harp is... Miss Aspnes is clearly an accomplished artist, whose skill is not to be doubted."

Lynne's commitment to teaching and bringing the versatility of the harp to the student and community at large is evidenced as she continues her involvement with students of all ages and the music community. Indeed, this HarpArts Retreat was formed around the principle of Helping Adults Reach Potential.

“I can't imagine anything better than teaching. It's the chance to open doors for people. I assume that people can do anything. Try this and there's no failing. It's not an issue of failing; it's an issue of trying."

"Lynne is amazing- - a wonderful and inspired teacher."
J. S. 2006

Mary Jane D'Arville, along with her husband David, is the founder of the Virginia and Atlanta Harp Centers . Before moving to Haddonfield , New Jersey to open the Philadelphia location, Mary Jane performed with the Richmond and Charlottesville Symphony Orchestras and was harp instructor at the University of Virginia as well as director of the Richmond Public Schools Harp Ensemble, an inner city harp program. In 1998, she and Kim Rowe started Beginning in the Middle, an annual conference held in Williamsburg , Virginia specifically designed for the adult beginner harpist. For 2010 Mary Jane will continue the tradition of BITM.

In 2002, Ms. D'Arville was honored to perform as a member of the Salzedo Ensemble at the World Harp Conference in Geneva , Switzerland . She continues to perform and teach in the South Jersey area while raising her two children, Cecilia and David. She is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University where she received her Masters of Music in Harp Performance with Paula Page. Her 25 year career includes free-lancing and teaching at all levels.

Ensemble specialist Mary Jane D'Arville will coach large and small ensemble sectionals, conduct large ensemble, and be available for private lessons.