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

8 reviews

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!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Adam A.

Adam A.

September 10, 2023
Verified review

Everyone loved to hear a wonderful musician!

Gretchen did an amazing job playing and working with the song we requested. Prompt and professional especially on a wedding day where we are running around like crazy people. It sounded Beautiful and we can't thank her enough!

Hired as: Classical Duo


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Angie P.

Angie P.

June 27, 2023
Verified review

Amazing harpist!

Gretchen was the perfect fit for my daughters wedding! She was easy to work with, and had examples of songs for the different parts of the ceremony. This was nice as we were not sure how to choose songs. She was very professional and kind. We would definitely recommend her.

Hired as: Harpist

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

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

Upcoming booked events

July 2026

11

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Ames, IA

Past booked events

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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