Caitlin Mehrtens is a harpist based in Houston, TX.  A prolific concerto soloist, she has performed most recently with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany at the Gewandhaus, and also with the National Repertory Orchestra, Texas Music Festival Orchestra, Ocean City Pops Orchestra, Oberlin Mozart Players, and Orchestra Society of Philadelphia.

Caitlin is equally at home as an orchestral musician, performing with many professional ensembles including the Spokane Symphony, Mississippi Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and Fort Wayne Philharmonic.  She is also an avid supporter and performer of contemporary art.  Most prominently, she is now the Production Manager and Harpist for Loop38 (www.loop38.org), a contemporary music ensemble bringing new music to the heart of Houston.  Caitlin holds degrees from both Rice University's Shepherd School of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, studying under Yolanda Kondonassis and Paula Page, respectively.  When she’s not playing the harp, she can probably be found enjoying the outdoors, listening to music with friends, or daydreaming about dogs. 

" Teaching has been a significant part of my career for several years. I’ve enjoyed educating students with a wide range of ages and experience levels, because it can be just as rewarding as seeing progress in my own playing. I have been very lucky to have worked with some incredible teachers and would be excited to pass along what I’ve learned to you. In my own journey as a professional harpist, I’ve been especially thankful for the solid foundation of technique that my teachers prioritized in my education. That groundwork provides facility for playing pieces of increasingly higher difficulty, and even prevents injury! Most importantly however, I love playing music. Being able to share in that with other people and help them grow is my favorite part."

A native of the Philadelphia area, Candace began her harp studies with Mary Anne Coppa at Settlement Music School Philadelphia, later continuing her studies with Anne Sullivan. She attended the prestigious Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree at Arcadia University (Glenside, PA) in Music Performance and Special Education.

Candace’s interest in education led her to found her own music studio, Lark Music, where she has been teaching harp and piano for the past 20 years.

She works with young students, preparing them for competitions, concerts, and college, but particularly enjoys working with adult students, seeking to give them the skills they need to enjoy playing the harp. During the summer you can find Candace coaching and mentoring students with Anne Sullivan at Harp Quest Summer Live camp.

As a performing harpist, Candace enjoys playing in local orchestras, ensembles, and theaters in the tri-state area. Her blog The Happy Musician gives musicians advice and guidance on keeping happiness in their art.

"Teaching to me means helping students pursue their passion in the most successful way. It means helping students understand the power of learning and mastering a skill. Teaching to me means sharing the excitement, joy, and fun of learning while continuing my teacher’s legacy. What I enjoy the most about teaching is learning. I have students from age 4 to 88, and some of my students have special needs. I am always seeking new and different ways to approach music with them. My students are constantly teaching me to be a better teacher, and I love it. I want to pass on to my students the power of quality practice. Quality practice means practicing with a plan, being present and not hyper-focusing on the goal, it also means enjoying the process. When I learned this from my teacher it made me excited to practice, and more confident. I was so surprised (and still am sometimes) about what I accomplished. I want my students to feel the same way."

Harpist Kristina Finch is a model of an independent modern musician based in Hattiesburg, MS. Versatile and flexible in all settings Kristina is constantly striving to connect with new and diverse audiences using classical training and a passion for popular music to defy expectations and expand perceptions of the harp. Kristina holds a Doctorate in Music Performance and Literature and Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and a Master of Music Degree from Florida State University. Kristina is an adjunct professor of music at the University of Southern Mississippi, a RYT/200 Yoga Teacher, a contributor to Harp Column Magazine, and the host/creator of “Harp Column Podcast.”

"As a student, I was been fortunate enough to learn under some of the kindest, most generous, and supportive teachers in our community. At every turn, even at my lowest musical points, these women found ways to lift me up, encourage me, and push me to be better in every aspect of my life. It is these teachers that inspire the most essential element of my teaching style. I find that all students, regardless of age or background, can find benefits and incredible growth through building a relationship with someone whose primary agenda is to create an environment for learning through positive reinforcement. In each interaction with students, my primary goal is to help them find a positive path toward reaching their individual goals. Beyond being just generally wonderful people, these teachers also instilled in me an appreciation and understanding for the foundational elements of the technical and musical parts of playing the harp. My goal with any student is to help them reach their goals in a fun and supportive environment that will leave them feeling inspired to continue their musical journey!"

Philadelphia-based harpist Mia Venezia is an accomplished performer, having collaborated with esteemed ensembles including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Nashville Opera, and New World Symphony. Currently, Ms. Venezia serves as the principal harpist with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra. Her impressive solo credits include performances with the St. Augustine Music Festival and the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, and she is a two-time winner of the Pittsburgh Chamber Society Chamber Division. Ms. Venezia currently tours with flutist Aimee Toner as a Lyric Music Society Artist. She earned her Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music as an Irving Gilmore Fellow, studying under the tutelage of June Han. Additionally, she received degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Northwestern University, graduating both institutes with distinguished honors. Passionate about sharing her love of music, Mia maintains a teaching studio where she strives to inspire and cultivate an appreciation for the harp.

"My passion for teaching is rooted in my lifelong love of learning. Beginning my studies at the age of seven, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best harpists in the country who are masters in musical excellence, orchestral playing, music theory, and the music business. This extensive and varied training has deepened my understanding of the diverse approaches and styles within music, teaching me that there is no singular path towards achieving harp happiness. As a teacher, my goal is to help you discover your own unique path to success. I see studying the harp as a path to personal growth, combining intellectual challenge with emotional satisfaction. Whether you're revisiting a longstanding passion or exploring new musical interests, I aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music and support your continuous personal growth."

Naomi Hoffmeyer is a freelance artist and educator based in Houston. As an educator, Naomi maintains a private studio and is a co-director of the Houston Youth Harp Ensemble.

Naomi was appointed the Principal Harpist of both the California and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras in 2013, and has performed as a guest musician with ensembles including the Houston Symphony and Ballet, as well as the San Francisco Symphony and Ballet.

Naomi received her Master of Music and Artist Diploma Degrees with Paula Page at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. She also trained under Douglas Rioth and Ann Hobson Pilot at the San Francisco and New England Conservatories. In addition to her conservatory studies, she credits much of her musical and personal development to her time spent at the Interlochen Arts Academy.

While maintaining an active musical schedule, Naomi is an enthusiast of the culinary arts and holds a degree in Pâtisserie and Baking from the California Culinary Academy. She grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, and spends her spare time hiking, reading, and helping her cat Fiona live her best life.

"To me, teaching is an essential part of a musical life. The connection between a teacher and student is a very special thing. I was lucky to experience this connection with several wonderful teachers during my years of training, and now relish being able to share this bond with my own students. Every session is an opportunity to share a distillation of what I have learned and am continuing to refine in my own practice at the harp.

Two of the core components that I want to share with my students are rhythm and relaxation. You won’t get far without them! I help my students build the technical foundation they need to be able to make the music in their hearts come alive on the harp. My goal is for my students to learn to trust their inner voices, and to have the tools they need to develop those ideas in productive practice and ultimately express them through their music."

Staff Consultant Coach

Mary Jane D’Arville’s passion for teaching was set in motion early in her professional career.  After graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University with a MFA in Harp Performance, she moved to Richmond Virginia to serve as Associate Professor of Harp at the University of Virginia and also as director of The Richmond Public Schools Harp Ensemble, one of the few inner city harp programs in the nation.

Since then she has been inspired to cultivate and expand her teaching concepts by working closely with several prominent harp instructors including Lynne Aspnes, Joan Holland and Anne Sullivan, as well as pursuing certification in the Suzuki method. Mary Jane is active as a guest faculty and master class instructor throughout the region as well as maintaining a busy private studio.

Over the years, Ms. D’Arville’s performing experience has included positions with several regional orchestras including the Richmond, Savannah, and Charlottesville Symphonies, and she continues an active freelance career in Richmond. The highlight of her performing career came in 2002 when she was invited to the World Harp Congress in Geneva, Switzerland to play with the Salzedo Harp Ensemble. 

In 1997, along with her husband David, Mary Jane opened the Virginia Harp Center, and later the Atlanta Harp Center, East Coast resource centers with locations in Georgia, New Jersey, and Virginia.  This endeavor has been a wonderful opportunity for her to integrate her enthusiasm for the harp and excitement for bringing harpists together.

"The most exciting part of teaching for me is learning! Through many years of teaching, I have come to realize that to be an effective teacher you must also be an active learner. Not only does each individual student create a new challenge, but every lesson inspires me to incorporate years of experience and observation to find the best path to share my passion for the harp. And that path is continually expanded by what I learn from my students. My love for the harp was instilled in me by my first teacher, Molly Hahn. With her guidance, I developed a solid technical foundation that gave me the confidence to pursue my harp studies and express myself through music. Over the years, I have been nurtured by so many wonderful teachers and I take great joy in sharing their wisdom and being a small part of their legacy. My goal with students is to motivate them not only to practice after each lesson, but on a much broader scope, to feel confident communicating and connecting through the music they create. By fostering positive and effective learning experiences, I encourage each student to discover their unique abilities and to find joy in their harp playing."