Looking for the perfect harp performance to add grace, beauty, and a magical touch to your next event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? From elegant weddings and intimate private parties to concert halls and educational programs, Philadelphia is home to a remarkable group of harpists whose artistry elevates every occasion. Whether you want classical sophistication, Celtic charm, or contemporary creativity, these Philadelphia-based harpists will bring unforgettable music to your celebration.
Here are ten of the most talented harpists you can book in Philadelphia today:
Mindy Cutcher
Mindy Cutcher, Principal Harpist for the Philadelphia Ballet, is a sought-after soloist, teacher, and recording artist. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, she has performed with major symphonies, on NBC’s The Tonight Show, across Japan, and aboard international cruise lines. She also co-founded the duo Principally Harps! with harpist Janet Witman.
Samantha Wittchen
Philadelphia-based harpist Samantha Wittchen is a versatile performer and teacher who has played with regional orchestras, on film soundtracks, and alongside artists like McCoy Tyner and Olivia Newton-John. She teaches harp at the University of Pennsylvania, maintains a private studio, and performs in eclectic ensembles including The Wittchen Initiative, blending classical, jazz, and pop influences.
🔗 Website
📱 Twitter | Instagram
Sara Henya
Sara Henya is a composer and artist based in Philadelphia. She has released a variety of projects; from her Indie-Pop fantasy album Pop Goblin (2023), to composing scores for short film and theater. Also a fiber artist, Sara’s clothing design and hand embroidery can be seen at galleries and expos across the East Coast, as well as in her music videos.
She is also passionate about advocacy and volunteering. Sara has been an advocate for Tourette Syndrome since receiving her own diagnosis at the age of 14, and works closely with the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome.
🔗 Website
📱 Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Devon Carpenter
Devon’s musical training began at a young age with piano and voice lessons. She began harp study during high school at the age of 15 with Alice Spero Keene at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Subsequent teachers have included Beatriz Martin-Ruiz, Suzann Davids, and Dr. Erin Ponto Freund.
🔗 Website
📱 Facebook | Instagram
Martha Clancy
Martha Clancy has won international recognition for her harp playing. She won the All-Ireland Harp Championship and the U.S. Championship of the Scottish harp in the same year, the only American to have held both titles. Clancy has been a musical director at the famous Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer calls her “A welcome addition to the stage”. She is on the faculty of a music school outside of Philadelphia and has many private harp students as well.Martha has published her arrangements internationally.
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Rebecca Simpson
Rebecca Simpson is a classically trained harpist living and performing in the Philadelphia area. She earned a Master of Music from the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University and a Bachelor of Music from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt and was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society her junior year, signifying she was in the top 5% of her class.
🔗 Website
McKinzi Smith
McKinzi Godfrey Smith is a Philadelphia-based harpist whose passion for the instrument began in her youth in Idaho and Arizona, where she performed in state and school ensembles. A Brigham Young University alum, she has played in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and Lyon & Healy Hall, and now shares her love of the harp with the Philadelphia community.
🔗 Website
📱 Facebook | Instagram
Mia Venezia
Philadelphia-based harpist Mia Venezia performs and teaches throughout the country, including performance settings such as the Richmond Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra where she holds the principal chair. A frequent collaborator in chamber music, Mia was featured as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and a two time winner of the Pittsburgh Chamber Society Chamber Division. She currently tours with flutist Aimee Toner as a Lyric Music Society Artist. Mia recently graduated from the Yale School of Music as an Irving Gilmore fellow, where she studied with pedagogue June Han. Mia holds a private studio in which she hopes to inspire and foster the next generation of harpists.
🔗 Website
📱 YouTube | Instagram
Linda Umstead
Hello! I’m Linda, a lifelong classically trained musician who would love to provide beautiful harp or piano music for your event.
You can audition me in the privacy of your home by following the link on the repertoire page to over 50 videos of various styles of harp music.
Complete client satisfaction is my goal in every event that I have the privilege of being a part of.
Please feel free to contact me to see how I can help you create the event that you have been envisioning.
🔗 Website
Candace Lark
Welcome to my happy place, where I share all the tools, wonderful discussions, and strategies, to help you build a growth mindset.
I’m a harpist, pianist, coach, and music teacher, living in Montgomery County Pa. I was born in raised in Philadelphia though and will always be a “Philly girl.”
To receive my strategies and the science behind them make sure to subscribe. thehappymusician.com
🔗 Website
📱 YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Final Thoughts
From enchanting wedding specialists to innovative contemporary performers, Philadelphia’s harpists bring a magical blend of elegance, tradition, and creativity to private events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate gathering, or intimate celebration, these ten outstanding harpists will ensure your special occasion resonates with unforgettable music.