Betsey O'Hagan, Harpist, Descriptive Summary
Education
- Master of Music, Harp Performance and Bachelor of Music, The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), Cleveland, Ohio
- Harp performance
- Mentor, coach and train the Salzedo technique and Carlos Salzedo’s musical compositions
- Conduct harp ensemble
- Expand public appreciation for the harp, awareness of Cleveland, Ohio harp tradition
- Represent/advocate for music education institutions, employment and job creation
- Increase public music access, education, appreciation and engagement
- Leverage collaborative technologies, content, media relations and social networks
- Advance cultural arts programming for community, workforce and economic development
Technical skills training 1977-1997
- Student of Alice Chalifoux, Principal Harpist, Cleveland Orchestra (1931-1974) and protege of Carlos Salzedo
- Salzedo School Scholarship Student, The Cleveland Institute of Music, 1977-1983
- Extensive performance training, coaching and mentoring with Alice Chalifoux on Salzedo technique, solo, harp ensemble, and instrumental ensemble repertoire, and in harp repair
- Assisted Alice Chalifoux at the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony, in Camden, Maine, 1977-1987
- Recitalist, Salzedo Summer Harp Colony, Camden, Maine, 1979-1987
- Founder & Director, CIM Preparatory Harp Department & Preparatory Harp Ensemble
- 35 students, competition and concerto awards, managed touring student harp ensemble
- Guest and Recitalist, People’s Republic of China, Alice Chalifoux Teaching Residency at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in Shanghai, China, 1985
- Co-Organizer and Performer, Salzedo Centennial Celebration, American Harp Society National Conference, Columbus, Ohio, 1985
- Managing Director and Harpist, Coryton & Co., a not for profit performance ensemble, national tours, concerts and residencies, supported by the Ohio Arts Council, Arts Midwest, Ohio Arts Presenters Network (OAPN), 1985-1997
Development projects
- Collaboration development with national artists, writers, composers, and local community
- Strange New World Festival-Lake Erie College, Coryton & Co., Huun-Huur-Tu and Ted Levin, Randall Davidson, composer; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Cleveland Composers Guild; music librettist, historians, writers and critics, 1997
- Public-private partnership development with organizations, business and government
- Local instrument supplier partnership established between CIM, Mattlin-Hyde Piano and Lyon-Healy Harps
- Designed Public Radio/89.7 WKSU FM, Lake Erie College and Coryton & Co. collaboration resulting in a multi-state listener expansion
- Innovative community residency programs for student education, public appreciation and community building
- Thematic programing, i.e., “The French School: Impressionists in Music”, U.S. campaign
- John D. Drinko Musical Arts Residency, Lake Erie College, Morley Music Hall, Painesville, Ohio 1995, 1996, 1997
- National chamber music concert tours, including University of Alaska Teaching and Performance Residency, Fairbanks, AK
- Chamber music performance and arts in education services throughout Ohio and neighboring states
- The American Harp Society, member, Salzedo Centennial Committee and co creator Salzedo Centennial Exhibit
- The Salzedo Summer Harp Colony, Board Member
- American Chamber Music Society, member
- Arts Midwest, member
- Ohio Arts Council Arts Touring Artist
- Ohio Arts Council, Presenting/Touring Panel for Public Art, Member 1992-1995
- Ohio Arts Presenters Network Artist Affiliate Advisory Committee, Chair
- Ohio Arts Presenters Network Award of Merit, 1995
- Coryton & Co., management, operations, sales and marketing campaigns, personnel relations, concert program design
- “Artist to Artist: A Business Seminar”, supported by the Ohio Arts Council and State of Ohio Office of the Governor, serving multidisciplinary artists statewide 1992-1997; Arts Midwest National Conference
- University of Akron, American Music Center, independent composers, international ensembles
- Fundraising events-
- The Cleveland Institute of Music, Asia Society Benefit, 1983
- The Cleveland Institute of Music Art Song Festival, multiple years
- Salzedo School Benefit Concert
- The Plain Dealer. "Chamber Group Thrives on Risks" by Donald Rosenberg, Plain Dealer Music Critic, Sunday, March 9, 1997.
- The News-Herald. "Arts at Home at Lake Erie" by Jennifer Owens, Sept 27, 1996.
- Northern Ohio Live. "To Market" by David Sowd, November 1991. Article comparing innovative marketing techniques of a small entrepreneurial chamber music ensemble with a large business enterprise, the Cleveland Orchestra, Creative Design: Darby Scott, Nottingham Spirk, Kalman & Pabst Photo Group.
Betsey O'Hagan Phone: +1 216-246-2447 Email: betseymerkel@gmail.com
Location: Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Site design by Betsey O'Hagan.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Site design by Betsey O'Hagan.

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