Charlotte Chapter of the American Harp Society

End of Year Social

5/23/2021

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The end-of-year harp chapter social was lovely! Eighteen people gathered at Bette Roth's lakefront home to honor the three graduating seniors: Henri Schmidly, Martha Robinson, and Erin Dinlocker; hear beautiful, live harp music played by Erin, Martha, Ava Nicoletti, Ella Higham, and Tessa Jackson; nibble on special treats arranged by Terri Higham; and conduct our annual business meeting.

On behalf of the Chapter, I offer deep appreciation to those who have served on the Chapter Board this year, providing energy, direction, and leadership in so many ways that help us to develop as harpists and to enjoy the friendship and encouragement of other harpists. We look forward to gathering again at in-person events during the coming year!

Kristin Andes
President, Charlotte, NC Chapter of the American Harp Society

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Interview with new member, Beste Toparlak

10/14/2020

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By Kathleen Blackwell-Plank

Kathleen Blackwell-Plank: Reading your stellar professional biography I am struck by what a citizen of the world you are. You have lived, worked, and studied in many countries. Few of us have the opportunity to experience the classical music world in so many diverse settings. What have you learned from your broad worldview?
Beste Toparlak: I am originally from Turkey. I have been very lucky to experience and study music in Asia, Europe, and America. What I learned living abroad is that societies are actually very alike and the big picture doesn’t actually change much. It is definitely a challenging but fun experience that grows your personal awareness, understanding, tolerance, and how to accommodate oneself in different situations. The most challenging part is the process of learning a new language. I have been learning several languages since the age of 6 and learned how hard it is to express yourself when you have a limited vocabulary.
Kathleen: How many languages do you speak?
Beste: English, German, Turkish. A little bit of Russian and Kazakh come from elementary school education in Almaty/Kazakhstan but of course, it loses its place in my memory as time passes over it.
Kathleen: What originally drew your attention to the harp? What attracted you to playing the harp?
Beste: I guess as a little girl I was caught up in animated movies, and wanted to be an angel playing a lyre.
Kathleen: How old were you when you entered the Ankara State Conservatory of Hacettepe? Were you a boarding student? Were you close to your family or did your studies require you to leave home at a young age?
Beste: Our conservatory system in Turkey contains a middle school, high school, and college all together as one package. Instead of 4 years of college music education like here in the U.S, it takes a total of 10 years to graduate and earn a Bachelor's degree. Therefore, you enter a conservatory when you are 11 and finally graduate at 21. It’s a very long journey to graduation for a full-time conservatory music student. I was living in my hometown, Ankara, with my family during that time. Later, I moved to Germany where I earned a Master’s degree studying with former Vienna Philharmonic principal harpist, Xavier de Maistre.
Kathleen: What brought you to the United States? To Charlotte?
Beste: I came to the United States to learn advanced musical characteristics and sound quality from the legendary harpist Miss Susann McDonald at Indiana University. After completing my Artist Diploma from IU, I had a great chance to tour with several symphony orchestras and chamber groups to California, New York, Georgia, and Virginia. When I came here for the Charlotte Symphony harp audition, Charlotte welcomed me with its energy, hospitality, and kind people. Since then, I have had a unique bond with Charlotte.
Kathleen: Do you have a favorite piece of music or a period of music? Are you more drawn to solo, chamber, or orchestral settings?
Beste: I really like to play pieces from the Romantic era. It’s hard to choose one setting over another because whichever I don’t get to play often, I miss that one. Currently, I really miss playing in symphonic concerts. Hoping this ends soon with minimal risk.
Kathleen: I notice that you have had the opportunity to premiere works by contemporary composers. What was that experience like? Did it involve working closely with composers to achieve their vision for their new works?
Beste: I think working with a composer makes the work even more special. You get to understand what the composer actually dreamt of while writing the piece. Many times the work is still evolving so you can add your own style to the process of creation. It gives you the chance to connect better/ on a deeper level.
Kathleen: You have had the opportunity to perform with over a dozen different orchestras in many countries and settings. How has this experience enriched your career?
Beste: It has expanded my networks. Always good to have friends abroad. Now, I never say “I’m far from everyone” but instead, “I have someone everywhere”.
Kathleen: Are you teaching harp students? In-person? Via digital platforms like FaceTime or Zoom?
Beste: Yes, I am teaching in-person as well as virtually on Skype & Zoom.
Kathleen: What would you want to tell young students aspiring to play the harp?
Beste: “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Is a quote that I very much like and kept reminding myself often during long practice hours.
Kathleen: The year 2020 has been unimaginable for most of us. The COVID pandemic has drastically changed the landscape of our lives. How has this impacted your work?
Like many artists, it had a negative impact on me, too. Many big projects I was excited for were canceled. Other than performing in big shows, currently, I am playing at private social events in a limited group of people.
Kathleen: Tell me about the creative ways you have had to adapt to work in our current situation.
Beste: Learning new music, putting together programs for performances, timing selections, researching the history of the pieces, altering piano scores, teaching online, recording/working on contemporary composers’ new pieces, performing on virtual events as well as actual private events.
Kathleen: I enjoyed listening to a short clip of your arrangement of Nuvole Blanche (White Clouds) written by Ludovico Einaudi. Tell me about your arranging of music for harp.
Beste: Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I started to arrange piano scores to harp a few years ago. Besides arranging legendary composers such as Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, I’ve also had experience arranging pieces by contemporary composers for example Ludovico Einaudi, Yann Tiersen, Alexander Streliski, and Muriel Bostdorp. I shared some of the recordings with the original composers and received their feedback.
Kathleen: What are your plans and dreams for the future?
Beste: My dream would be to publish an arrangement of Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires for harp, violin and cello. My former harp professor, Elzbieta Szmyt, and I created this arrangement last year and later I presented it live in my final Artist Diploma Recital at Indiana University. While continuing to regularly perform in a professional ensemble, being able to pursue creative solo projects would be my dream career for the near future.
Kathleen: In May (if the COVID situation allows) you will be presenting a recital for the Charlotte Chapter of the American Harp Society. Tell me about your plans for this recital.
Beste: Yes! I am very excited about this recital, hopefully, life will get close to the normal in spring 2021. I am planning to present a very wide range of repertory. Besides famous pieces of Classical harp repertory, it will include Baroque & Romantic era, popular music and world music. I want this recital to be enjoyable for everyone. There are so many good options that I’m having a hard time choosing what to share with you!

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Story of a Summer Harp Adventure

8/30/2020

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By student chapter member, Ella Joy Higham

In the summer of 2020, I was not able to attend the Suzuki String Camp in Virginia because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Normally, I would travel to camp with my family, so instead this year I attended summer Zoom harp master classes with Ms. Phala Tracy. It was so enjoyable! I learned more about using gestures to help me become a more polished harpist. It was very challenging, but, as I practiced more, I got better. Thanks to my marvelous master teacher!

At lunch time, I participated in Zoom social gatherings. I developed friendships with kids in my own cohort from all over the country, in states like Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, and Washington. The other harpists made me laugh, and I looked forward to spending time with them every day. I know I have made lifetime friends.

The final recital was amazing! I got to play with harpists on many different levels. I'm grateful my parents signed me up for harp master class. It wasn't like harp camp in Virginia with Ms. Delaine Leonard, but I still had a great experience in my virtual harp master class. I highly recommend any opportunity to take a summer class.

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Congrats to Tessa Jackson!

9/24/2019

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Tessa Jackson, age 12, is already a poised and polished performer. She tied with Grace Hong (Pacific Region) for 4th place in the Junior Division of the 23rd American Harp Society National Competition which was held at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC, June 16-19, 2019. Tessa, who is a student of Bette Roth, played Solfeggietto by CPE Bach, The Minstrel’s Adieu to his Native Land by Thomas and Automne by Grandjany. When asked how she deals with nerves when performing, Tessa explained that she just focuses on the music. However, a new experience for her was having the judges for her age group behind a curtain at the competition.

Tessa isn’t new to performance or competition. In 2018 Tessa was a Young Artist’s Harp Seminar (YAHS) Finalist in the Preparatory Division (age 11 and under). She is currently the Principal Harpist with the Preparatory Orchestra of the Youth Orchestras of Charlotte. Last year she performed the Vivaldi Concerto in D major with Daniel Reeder, also a harpist with the orchestra.

At the age of 3½ Tessa began harp lessons with Bette Roth. Then at age 5 she performed in one of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Harp Society’s concerts at Imaginon. She was so small that she sat on phone books on the harp bench and had phone books under her feet. A photographer snapped a photo of her which appeared in the paper with the caption, “A better use of phone books.”

Tessa is surrounded by music in her home. Her mother plays French horn, violin and piano. Tessa is the 5th of 7 children. There are many opportunities for chamber music with her siblings: Cass plays cello & piano, Martha Grace plays violin & piano, Liam plays viola & piano, John plays piano, Tessa plays piano in addition to harp, Matthew and Gettys both play piano. The siblings can often be found playing music at church, in the nursing home once a month and at area schools. Tessa gave a concert and demonstration for the students at Myers Park Traditional School and answered questions from the students who were excited to learn new vocabulary and the sounds of glissando and arpeggio.

In addition to music, Tessa loves cats and enjoys studying Latin. Her favorite books are The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter books. When asked about dreams for the future, Tessa shared that she might like to be a librarian, an inventor or an engineer. When asked if there is anything else she would like to share, Tessa stated, “I want to thank Miss Bette for teaching me everything and for having lots of patience!”

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