Kristina Sara Johnson — Harpist

I have not yet collected any letters after my name that describe my harp addiction, and I doubt that adequate letters even exist. Nevertheless, I am studying for my Licentiate Diploma of Music in Harp. This is partly because I have been desperately wanting to do this repertoire for years, and also because I like to collect letters. I commenced studying music on the piano when I was 7 years old before discovering the harp when I was 9 and leaving the piano behind forever. For the past 23 years I have specialised in the Salzedo method of harp playing, and I have been fortunate to spend this time studying with Xanya Mamunya.

I have managed to collect quite a few letters that describe my other addiction of creating computer graphic art and animation - a Diploma of Advanced Character Animation and a Bachelor of Computer Science. While not quite as addictive as harp, visual art is still hugely important to me, and a folio of my work is online at www.animatedcreations.net.

I have been working as a freelance harpist around Melbourne for the last 23 years or so. During this time I have been lucky to work with some excellent people at the Melbourne Harp Ensemble, Stonnington Symphony, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Opera, CLOC Theatre, Altona City Theatre, Whitehorse Musical Theatre, and many others. I am the principal harpist for Melbourne Opera, and the current President of the Harp Society of Victoria. I am also a member of the rarely heard Planxty Harp Trio.

My favourite compositions are mostly those of French and Baroque composers. The music stand is currently loaded with works by Chausson, Debussy, Fauré, Handel, Hindemith and Salzedo. These are in addition to other compositions that I am polishing for my freelance harp work.

I am available for harp teaching and freelance harp work - orchestras, ensembles, weddings, background music.
telephone: 0435 043 767
email: kristina@animatedcreations.net
www.animatedcreations.net