About us

The MetroHarp Chapter of the American Harp Society is a non-profit organization serving harpists throughout the New York Metropolitan Area. We seek to bring together the diverse array of harp communities in and around NYC through community gatherings, masterclasses, workshops, concerts, and member-driven programming.

History

The MetroHarp Chapter of the American Harp Society was founded in 1973 by the renowned harpist and composer Marcel Grandjany, Marietta Bitter, Charlotte F. Paine, Liz Kurnitz, and Margaret Mahler after the formation of the American Harp Society led by Mr. Grandjany in 1962 with the appointment of a committee in New York City to organize and promote the national organization.

Meet Our Team

  • President

    Chelsea Lane is currently serving as Adjunct Artist in Harp at Vassar College and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Harp, Chamber Music, and Music History at the College of Staten Island, CUNY. An active New York City freelancer, she has performed with numerous classical ensembles and Broadway shows (Wicked, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Paradise Square, and Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes). Her recent album Suspensions highlights her interest in promoting new music for the harp. She holds degrees from Yale University (BA in Music), Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (MA in Harp Performance), and The Graduate Center, CUNY (DMA in Harp Performance).

  • Vice President

    Tomina Parvanova Lyden enjoys a versatile career in NYC as a Broadway, session and concert performer. Most recently, Tomina appeared at the 76th Tony awards and is currently the harpist of the hit Broadway revival, Sweeney Todd. She has performed with a myriad of major orchestras, including Boston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, and Louisiana Philharmonic. Tomina is a four times winner of the Principal Harp (split chair) for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. A passionate educator, Tomina served as an Adjunct faculty at The Boston Conservatory and maintains a thriving private harp studio since 2012.

  • Secretary

    Violetta Maria Norrie is a freelance harpist in NYC who has appeared as a soloist and orchestral musician she is Principal Harpist of the Cape Symphony and has performed with ensembles such as the Princeton Symphony, Ensemble LPR, the Experiential Orchestra, and Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. In her focus on contemporary music she has performed with contemporary ensembles Contemporaneous and Blackbox Ensemble as well as free improvising on both pedal and lever harp in collaboration with dance. Violetta is half of viola-harp duo Eleventh Hour. She holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the Yale School of Music and has studied at the CNSM de Paris. She maintains a teaching studio in Inwood in Manhattan.

  • Treasurer

    Olivia Fortunato is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music who has won a multitude of competitions and featured positions at national and international festivals. Olivia has lived in Manhattan since 2014 and regularly performs for recording sessions and orchestras, in addition to a variety of private events. She was a producer at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for many years before attending the Cardozo School of Law. Olivia plans to practice entertainment law while continuing to perform.

  • Social Media Manager

  • Events Coordinator