Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Wilkinson.
Hi Jamie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started taking harp lessons when I was 8 years old. I saw my older siblings taking music lessons, and wanted to take lessons as well. My mom suggested I take harp lessons, and I loved it from day 1. I did well with harp right away, and within a couple of years started playing at weddings and receptions. Growing up in the Austin area was amazing in that live music was very much embraced and supported. My harp teacher, Delaine Fedson, was sponsored by a senator to allow her harp studio to have its annual Christmas recitals in the Capital rotunda. One of my favorite things from my teenage years was playing in Youth Orchestra.
I met the legendary harpist Alice Chalifoux at a masterclass at SMU in the mid 90s, and she invited me to attend the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, ME. I saved every dollar I made and went to Camden the next 3 summers to study with Miss Chalifoux. This was an incredible time of growth and training as a musician, and became especially more precious to me when Miss Chalifoux had to retire 2 years later at the age of 94.
I largely put music on the “back burner” while raising a family. I do regret neglecting it quite as much as I did, but I was too much of an idealist and it took me a long time to learn to live with some of the life choices I had made with regard to music.
Now that my children are older I have prioritized the harp again in my life, and it has brought me so much satisfaction. I created my website and started playing at wedding fairs, community orchestras, schools, parties, and any function I am able. Having a commitment to play somewhere really helps me prioritize practicing. I have met other harpists and we have revitalized the San Antonio Chapter of the American Harp Society. I have also joined the Tuesday Musical Club here in San Antonio, which is the oldest musical club in Texas for women. I realized that harp was really and truly a part of me and something that I tried to ignore, but was always calling to me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, playing the harp has not been a smooth road! One of the struggles was financial. It is an expensive instrument, and I had to wait many years before I was able to get a pedal harp. I started out with a Lyon and Healy lever harp, and it was and is a wonderful instrument. However, I was ready to move on to more difficult repertoire for years before my parents could afford to buy a larger instrument. I joke that when I grew up, I bought a harp instead of a car, but that is the truth!
The harp is a very difficult instrument to play. I had “old school” teachers who were excellent, and expected excellence. Sometimes there were tears during lessons. I was handed a tissue to dry my tears, and we got right back to the lesson!
The life of a classical musician is mostly practice. It is a lot of isolated, dry, thankless work. You work to play the music as correctly and beautifully as you can. There is technique to work on, tempo, dynamics, phrasing, tone, timing, and the list goes on and on. It is a joy, and it is also tedious work.
Now that I am returning to playing much of my repertoire that I haven’t played in years, it can be frustrating because I know that it will take weeks, months, and maybe years to perfect and polish what I was once able to perform. Right now I work a full time job at my kid’s school, and my challenge is to find time to practice and play my harp!
Another challenge is that work is not always consistent, and you have to keep putting yourself out there and meeting people and building community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I play solo harp music, and I also play in chamber groups, orchestras, and symphonies as the opportunity arises. My favorite type of playing is in a small chamber group. I think I am most proud of the wonderful musicians I have met, have learned from, and have played with. What sets me apart is my experience.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I can’t point to any particular thing that has happened that I consider to be luck – good or bad. I see more work, dedication, and generosity of spirit in my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jharpist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satxharpist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jharpist/
