The pursuit of beauty begins with 47 strings.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Harp Department prepares harpists for successful and diverse careers as modern musicians. Our harp program offers an intimate learning environment with two dedicated instructors, Jennifer Ellis and Katherine Siochi. In addition to mastering the technical and musical facets of harp performance, students study a wide array of practical topics from orchestral performance, harp maintenance, harp pedagogy, harp composition and transcription, and more. Thanks to our donors, SFCM provides four concert grand pedal harps, two semigrand pedal harps, and two lever harps.

Harpists have a wealth of ensemble opportunities, including chamber music, orchestra, opera, musical theater, new music, choir, and wind ensemble. Throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in the Composition and Technology and Applied Composition departments to premiere new works for harp.

SFCM rigorously prepares students for their career ahead with a robust Professional Development curriculum that includes everything from digital marketing to community engagement to financial literacy and beyond. Students are able to shape their degree path to support their individual career goals. Undergraduate harp students, in addition to their harp major, may choose a minor in leadership, teaching, or technology. Graduate harp students may choose a mock audition jury track, or one focused more on solo performance, with options to highlight chamber music, harp composition, harp transcription, or even harp improvisation.