Harp with Friends

First Christian Church is presenting “Harp with Friends,” featuring harpist Haley Rhodeside with Michael Sabatka (viola), Paul Nagem (flute), and JJ Sechan (bassoon).

They will perform works by French composers, including Claude Debussy and Gabriel Fauré et al.

Harpist Haley Rhodeside began playing the harp at the age of six, after politely refusing her parents’ offer to provide her with piano lessons and informing them of her instrument of choice.

However, it is not her only passion.

Outside of degrees in music, earned at Indiana University while studying with Susann McDonald, Ms. Rhodeside also holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics.

While she did not choose to continue her formal education in the subject, she is fascinated by the deep and beautiful connections between math and music, which she is still continuing to discover.

Ms. Rhodeside recently completed her Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music, studying with Dr. June Han.

Her playing has won numerous accolades including, but not limited to, winner of the Miami Summer Music Festival’s concerto competition, first prize winner of the Young Artists Harp Competition, and finalist in the American Harp Society national competition.

Ms. Rhodeside has performed as a soloist and ensemble player with many orchestras and other ensembles throughout the country.

Ms. Rhodeside is an avid performer of new music as well, having appeared often with the New York-based ensemble Cantata Profana, New Music New Haven, and Indiana University’s New Music Ensemble, among others.

Sharing the gift of music is extremely important to Ms. Rhodeside.

Her work with HarpSTART, the USA International Harp Competition’s outreach program, brought the music of the harp to Bloomington schools and other community venues.

She also volunteers with MusicMDs, a group devoted to sharing music with hospital patients.