Monica Schley

Harp

A lifelong musician, Monica Schley started out playing piano at age four and went on to study voice, clarinet, harp, and pipe organ. Before moving to the West Coast twenty years ago, she earned a BA from the the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she studied poetry and music, which included rigorous lessons with Frances Miller, principal harpist of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has had master classes with harpists: Ruttiger Opperman, Park Stickney, Laurie Riley, Lori Andrews, Maeve Gilchrist, Christina Tourin, and others.

Monica teaches beginners through intermediate harp students. As mother to young children, Monica is comfortable with teaching youth as well as students of all backgrounds and ages. Her musical method draws from folk, classical, songwriting, theory, ensemble work, improvisation and pop music using a Salzedo-influenced method. She says everyone's learning process is unique, just like the harp!

Performing as a side-player, she has worked with Jherek Bischoff, Ahamefule J. Oluo, and Eyvand Kang to name a few. Orchestrally, she has played with Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Rock Orchestra, and Degenerate Art Orchestra. She has recorded on over a dozen albums, including two of her own: Harp Carols (2013), and Braids of Kabuya (2018), put out by her band The Daphnes. In 2015, Monica became a Certified Clinical Musician, playing therapeutic harp in hospitals and hospices. Her book of sheet music, “Songs of Hildegard von Bingen for Harp” was published by Mel Bay Publications in 2024.

“I see myself as a musician who happens to play the harp, not being a harpist exclusively. It is from that approach that I tap into the great mystery that is music. I believe teachers can learn from students just as much as students learn from the teacher. I welcome students of all backgrounds.” – Monica Schley

Specialties: Celtic, classical, folk, jazz, rock, chamber, improvisational, new music, avant garde, therapy harp

Levels: All

Ages: 7+

Rates: $55 for 30 min, $65 for 45 min, $75 for one hour

Availability: Tuesday and Wednesday online, Friday and Saturday in-person by appointment only

Saying “yes!” to the harp gave Monica Schley a rewarding and unexpected career path

When were you first introduced to harp and what got you “hooked”?

I was about fourteen years old at Heid Music in Appleton, Wisconsin when I saw a harp in the store. I had already been playing piano for ten years. My mom noticed that I seemed interested in the harp, and asked if that was something I’d want to learn more about. I said YES! It intrigued me to no end. How does it sound? How do you play it? We were lucky enough to find a local teacher and I have been playing ever since. In my twenties, I tried a few times to focus my career elsewhere, but the harp always came back to me.

What is one of your most memorable experiences as a performer?

I've made achievements and reached milestones in my music, and played with musicians I really admire, but the most memorable moments are when I get to play with my friends. And, as a mom, I'm very happy to be playing duets with my middle school age daughter who has been studying piano and clarinet.

Do you have any practice tips for harp players and musicians?

 Don't underestimate the power of “woodshedding,” i.e., practicing your scales! While it may be not be glamorous, scales and exercises help your technique so much and really make your songs sound more musical.

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