Felice Pomeranz

"Why harp at Berklee? The answer, in my opinion, is that it is important to become a complete and versatile musician. In order to become a complete musician, you must be able to play in many settings. Harpists need to be trained not only in solo, orchestral, wind ensemble, and chamber music settings, but they also need to be familiar with working in a studio or playing in a jazz ensemble or a big band. Being a student at Berklee provides that setting, enabling him or her to become versatile in today's music marketplace. Versatility is what makes us stand out as harpists."

"Harp students at Berklee receive traditional training in classical repertoire, études, and exercises. But they also get experience in jazz ensembles, both small and large. They learn how to improvise and make arrangements for the harp. They also learn freelance skills that they can immediately take into the world."

"I think Berklee is special because harp students who come here are able to play with many other instruments, far outside the classical realm. They also have the opportunity to play with students of many nationalities and cultures. They learn how to interact with others in a jazz setting. One of the best things about the harp program in the String Department is that students have the opportunity to play in an improvisational harp lab with a rhythm section, in which they can experiment with style and repertoire and receive one-on-one instruction on how to improvise."

"There is a great camaraderie in the harp classes, and the students are fortunate in that they get daily exposure to the many renowned faculty who teach at Berklee. The skills harpists learn here cannot be equaled anywhere in the world."