Gretchen Brumwell

Top Performer

Cedar Rapids, IA

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Travels up to 120 miles

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Overview

Gretchen Brumwell is Principal Harpist with Orchestra Iowa and performs for weddings and other events around eastern Iowa. Committed to excellence in performance and service to clients, she is eager to discuss how she can help make your event a success.

Visit her website to find information about specific events, answers to frequently asked questions, and audio samples.


Reviews

10 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Libby K.

Libby K.

October 9, 2026
Verified review

Absolutely blown away!

Gretchen was absolutely fabulous! She arrived on time, was incredibly kind and professional, and played beautifully. Our residents had so many wonderful compliments about how gorgeous the music was and how much they enjoyed having her. She truly helped make the event special. We would highly recommend Gretchen to anyone looking for a talented and wonderful harpist!

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Gretchen Brumwell

Gretchen Brumwell

Thanks so much, Libby! I'm so glad the residents enjoyed the music. It was a pleasure to be part of your open house!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Heidi S.

Heidi S.

July 16, 2026
Verified review

Outstanding

Gretchen knocked it out of the ballpark at my daughter’s wedding. It was an outside wedding. Gretchen performed as guests arrived, as they left and during the ceremony. It was the perfect music addition to the day.
Gretchen was very easy to work with. From initial booking to song choice to day of performance. I highly recommend reaching out to Gretchen if you want a special touch for your evert. You won’t be disappointed.

Hired as: Harpist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Haley S.

Haley S.

September 15, 2025

Wedding Ceremony

Gretchen was professional, on time, thoughtful, attentive, and flexible with us for our wedding ceremony.
I appreciated her thorough organization from booking to day-of, and she was very communicative and responsive.
Her playing was beautiful, and her timing was impeccable.
Thank you Gretchen for being part of making our wedding day perfect!

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Gretchen Brumwell

Gretchen Brumwell

Thanks, Haley! I was honored to be a part of your wedding!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Melissa N.

Melissa N.

June 23, 2025
Verified review

A most magical Harpist!!

Gretchen was such a joy to coordinate with, very responsive, and absolutely plucked our heartstrings during our wedding ceremony! Her musicality made the experience so magical and we couldn't imagine it any other way!! Highly recommend, especially if you're looking to infuse some fairy-like energy into your wedding.

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Gretchen Brumwell

Gretchen Brumwell

So glad you enjoyed the music, Melissa! Thank you for inviting me to be part of your lovely wedding!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Lj

Lj

December 19, 2024
Verified review

Wonderful addition to our holiday event!

I hired Gretchen for a holiday party at a care facility that had over 100 residents as well as a good number of guests with their families that joined. The staff, guests, and residents were highly impressed with her music and entertainment she provided. It added such an ambiance to the party we didn't know we needed while we ate, passed out gifts, and socialized. Her talent truly shines through, and she came highly prepared with all her equipment and needed items to perform. She asked all the right questions to ensure she did everything properly and even preformed in two different areas of the facility and moved to the other space with ease ensuring not to disrupt the flow of the party. We'd be honored to have her return in the future as well as recommend her to anyone that may want to hire her for her musical talents!

Hired as: Harpist

Small thumbnail image for Gretchen Brumwell

Gretchen Brumwell

Thank you so much for your kind words and for inviting me to be part of your holiday party! I would love to come back for a future event!

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for pricing

About

Gretchen Brumwell is principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa and an active performer throughout eastern Iowa. In addition to her work as an orchestral and freelance musician, she has appeared as a featured soloist with many area symphonies, including Orchestra Iowa, the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, the Fort Dodge Area Symphony, and the Iowa City Community String Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she is a regular performer on Orchestra Iowa’s Showcase Chamber series.

A passionate educator, Ms. Brumwell serves as harp instructor at the University of Northern Iowa and Coe College and maintains an active private teaching studio. In the summer, she is the harp instructor at the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival. She has previously held faculty positions at Grinnell College, Wartburg College, Cornell College, the Lutheran Summer Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Orchestra Iowa School.

Ms. Brumwell followed an unusual path to the field of music, receiving a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and humanities from Grace University before earning her master’s degree in harp performance from Rice University. While at Rice University, she was a regular substitute with the Houston Symphony and the Houston Ballet Orchestra. She has studied with Paula Page, Mary Bircher, and the legendary Alice Chalifoux.

Services offered

Past booked events

October 2026

08

Thursday

Grand Opening

4:00pm - 6:00pm

•

Cedar Falls, IA

July 2026

11

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Ames, IA

May 2026

10

Sunday

Cocktail Party

11:00am - 1:00pm

•

Cedar Rapids, IA

September 2025

06

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:30pm

•

Cedar Falls, IA

August 2025

31

Sunday

Wedding Reception

6:00pm - 7:00pm

•

Apple River, IL

June 2025

21

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:30pm

•

Apple River, IL

December 2024

31

Tuesday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

•

Coal Valley, IL

18

Wednesday

Christmas Party

4:30pm - 6:30pm

•

Solon, IA

September 2024

22

Sunday

Wedding Reception

3:00pm - 5:00pm

•

West Des Moines, IA

July 2024

30

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

10:00am - 11:30am

•

Hampton, IA

January 2024

26

Friday

Fundraiser

6:30pm - 7:30pm

•

Burlington, IA

September 2023

02

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Waterloo, IA

June 2023

17

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 6:30pm

•

Prole, IA

November 2022

21

Monday

Christmas Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

•

Pella, IA

October 2022

15

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 5:30pm

•

Milan, IL

July 2022

28

Thursday

Corporate Event

5:00pm - 8:30pm

•

Bettendorf, IA

02

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 3:15pm

•

Long Grove, IA

June 2022

11

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

2:00pm - 3:00pm

•

Davenport, IA

April 2022

30

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 4:30pm

•

Iowa City, IA

17

Sunday

Easter Party

10:00am - 1:00pm

•

Davenport, IA

02

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00pm

•

Iowa City, IA

July 2021

03

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:00pm

•

Apple River, IL

April 2021

16

Friday

Retirement Community Event

2:30pm - 3:30pm

•

Coralville, IA

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