Stephanie Claussen, harpist

I arrive a minimum of a half hour ahead of time to set up. I provide my own instrument, chair, and music stand. If you have special requests for music let me know. Feel free to specify a genre of music you prefer, such as pop, classical, sacred, or folk.

Stephanie Claussen has been performing Renaissance and Celtic music for over fifteen years. She regularly gives concerts and performs at weddings, special events, and conferences throughout the Twin Cities. At the age of twelve, she won 1st place in the Macalester Scottish Harp Competition in St. Paul and was additionally named “Most Promising Harpist.” After studying harp for eleven years with Twin Cities harpist Cathy Victorsen, Stephanie received her BM in performance at the University of Minnesota under the instruction of Kathy Kienzle, principal harpist of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Claussen has performed harp as a member of numerous orchestras, smaller ensembles, indie band Acoustic Nerve, and the early music ensemble Ravenscroft Musicke Guild. She has made guest appearances with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the North Heights Chorale, the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, and the Paris Conservatory’s Saxophone Ensemble. She and her violinist father performed as wandering minstrels at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival on and off for the past fifteen years. In 2014 Claussen was awarded a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant to give concerts and teach throughout Minnesota.

Stephanie is experienced at performing at all types of events. Her professional attitude makes working with her a pleasure. Her diverse repertoire encompasses classical, folk, pop, sacred and Early music.

I am happy to play for outdoor events if there is either an alternate location in case of rain or a tent that is set up, and nearby, if it looks like it might rain. (No tent necessary in beautiful weather).

I own and perform with two different harps - a 6-foot Concert Grand pedal harp (mahogany) and a 5-foot Gothic harp. Depending on what type of music you prefer I will recommend one or the other.

I will take a 10-minute break out of every hour of background music I play after the first hour.