Laura Byrne

Harpist Laura Byrne is a highly regarded professional harpist who has established herself as both a superb performer and harp instructor. With 30 years of experience playing the harp, Laura Byrne offers her classically trained music to those who enjoy the beautiful sounds of the harp. Laura Byrne attended the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) in Ohio, a conservatory known for producing world-class performers and teachers. Laura Byrne earned both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from CIM, where she studied with the renowned Salzedo harpist Alice Chalifoux. Early in her career, Laura Byrne had the opportunity to train as a teacher in the preparatory department under the guidance of her principal teacher the renowned Alice Chalifoux. She continued her training in the summers at the Salzedo School in Camden, Maine, where she observed lessons and became devoted to the Salzedo method and Chalifoux's style of teaching. Laura Byrne attributes her many successes to having studied under Chalifoux, and the harpist community appreciated a warm tribute she wrote to her mentor after Chalifoux passed away. People Magazine and NBC Nightly News' Tom Brokaw have mentioned Laura Byrne as one of the legendary harpist’s notable students while celebrating the life of Chalifoux. In addition to her current positions as a Harp Instructor at Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Laura Byrne has held teaching positions at the University of Louisville, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Gustavus Adolphus College, the MacPhail Center for the Arts (now the MacPhail Center for Music), and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Motivated by the ability to help others through her instrument, Laura Byrne has volunteered her services to ease the pain of patients and their families in hospitals and hospice programs, playing beautiful harp music to all who want to listen. As a classical harpist, Laura Byrne frequently performs at a variety of venues, including classical concerts, opera and ballet productions, and Broadway shows. Reviews have noted her passionate and spirited performances, praising her harp playing as "spectacular" and "breathtakingly beautiful." A popular freelancer, she is frequently engaged for corporate events, wedding ceremonies, and private parties. Laura Byrne can be contacted through her website: LAURASBYRNEHARPIST.com