2009
2008
Review by Marta Power Luce
Since its conception in 2002, the Isabelle Perrin Summer Harp Workshop has developed into a wonderful opportunity for America’s young harpists to bridge a musical culture-gap by working closely with one of France’s finest harp professors. This year’s workshop was a particular success; not only were the new venues a welcome improvement, but also the participation of guest clinician Lynne Aspnes and of pianist Damien Luce made this workshop much more than simply a week of lessons. The most dynamic element of all was the highly motivated and mature group of harpists, who came from as far as San Francisco, Phoenix, and even Mexico!
The focus of the 2008 workshop was on standard concertos of the harp repertoire. Ms. Aspnes presented two very interesting and lively clinics, in which she discussed the history of the concerto and its various defining features in each time period. Between the eleven participants, almost all of the principal works for harp and ensemble were present: Debussy, Pierné, Dittersdorf, Saint-Saëns, Handel, Ginastera, Zabel and Ravel. Mr. Luce was available for concerto rehearsals in the mornings and then for accompaniment of the afternoon lesson with Ms. Perrin.
Concertos were not the only pieces students presented in their lessons however. Actually, several harpists were preparing international competitions, and all had many solo works to study. During the lessons, the theme of Ms. Perrin’s teaching was ‘Listen’…to the sound, the equality of each finger, the equality of each note in the phrase, the balance between right and left hand, etc.… many details that often go unnoticed! The lessons themselves were in open, French-style masterclass format, allowing each harpist to benefit from advice given to her colleagues.
The participants' hard work paid off in a very successful final concert. The first half was dedicated to solo works, followed by a brilliant performance of Fauré's Impromptu by Ms. Perrin. Several concertos and individual concerto movements with piano accompaniment concluded the concert.
Throughout the week, harpists were able to take advantage of the sights and sounds of Traverse City: two beaches within walking distance of the workshop, picturesque downtown with its boutiques and cafés, and the National Cherry Festival (to celebrate the town’s standing as the ‘Cherry Capital of the World’!).
Traverse City is a magical place, with the ideal conditions for intense work and for great complicity in music and in harp. It is one of my greatest joys every year to return to Traverse City to work with American harpists in order to share with them the specifically French facets of our instrument, and to have fun together!Isabelle Perrin
2007
I was privileged to study the harp with Isabelle Perrin in Traverse City, Michigan in 2007. She is a very sensitive and very well-educated musician and a lovely human being. Her musicianship is surpassed only by her talents as a teacher. She inspires her students to rise to their highest capabilities, regardless of whether they are beginners or very advanced players.Myra Kovary
Past Workshops
