Betsey Merkel Harpist Descriptive Summary

Betsey O'Hagan, Harpist, Descriptive Summary

Betsey O'Hagan

Education

Mission and vision

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

Leadership in state and national associations

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

Communications, design and marketing

Coryton & Co., management, operations, sales and marketing campaigns, personnel relations, concert program design

Public speaker and workshop leader

“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

New music commissions and performance

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

Press

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.