- New York City, NY
- Harpist
- $1,000 and up
Gretchen Brumwell
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
Haley S.
September 15, 2025Wedding 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
Gretchen Brumwell
Thanks, Haley! I was honored to be a part of your wedding!
Melissa N.
June 23, 2025A 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
Gretchen Brumwell
So glad you enjoyed the music, Melissa! Thank you for inviting me to be part of your lovely wedding!
Lj
December 19, 2024Wonderful 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
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!
Adam A.
September 10, 2023Everyone 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
Angie P.
June 27, 2023Amazing 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
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
Report Gretchen Brumwell
Harpist
Check out these featured profiles
- Chicago, IL
- Pianist
- Contact for rates
- Wonder Lake, IL
- Cellist
- Contact for rates
- Bentonville, AR
- Harpist
- Contact for rates