Joan Raeburn Holland

About Joan

In addition to being the at the Nelson Family Harp Chair at Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Camp, and Interlochen Online, Joan Raeburn Holland is Associate Professor of Harp for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance of the University of Michigan. Current principal harp positions include the Midland Symphony, Co-Principal for the Traverse Symphony, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, and the Lexington Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra. In 1977-79, Holland was principal harp for the Phoenix Symphony, the Cleveland Ballet Orchestra, and substitute harpist for the Cleveland Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony. An avid chamber musician, Holland has played in chamber music series around the United States, Canada and China, including the World Harp Congress, the American Harp Society, and the International Viola Congress. Solo performances include recital programs for the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, for regional and national conventions of the American Harp Society, collaborations as concerto soloist, and various recitals in support of arts organizations. Holland began her harp studies with Eileen Malone at the Eastman School of Music Preparatory Department, continuing with Alice Chalifoux at the Cleveland Institute of Music, from age twelve through her Bachelor of Music.

I believe that the development of a student's artistry, musicianship, and ease as an instrumentalist includes beautiful and practiced disciplines of playing, attention to one's instincts, awareness of how much we can learn from each other and keeping our ears alive. Studying the harp, as with all musical ventures, is a complexity of imagination, physicality, trust, passion, and rigor. I find the journey of working with each student to be one of discovery and often, inspiration.