Leigh Brown Harpist Harpist from Portland, OR

Born in Indiana, Leigh began her musical training on the piano at the age of six. She next began to study harp at age 8 with Linda Wood-Rollo and continued her studies with the Assistant Professor of Harp at the Indiana University School of Music, Elzbieta Szmyt. Starting in middle school, Leigh also trained in both the classical and jazz alto-saxophone. In 1996, she received a scholarship to study with Distinguished Professor of Harp, Susann McDonald, at what is known to be the largest harp department in the world. She graduated in 2001 with a degree in harp performance along with earning a performer's certificate. Leigh has performed with various Indiana University orchestras, harp ensembles, chamber groups, and performances in the ballet and opera series. In 1996, she was a finalist in both an American Harp Society and American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition. In 1999, she performed in the World Harp Conference in Prague in a Performance of Youth concert. In 1999 she also won third prize in an American Harp Society competition along with winning an award in the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition, Bloomington Chapter. During her last year of college, she was the winner of the Chapter Career Award in Music from the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition, Bloomington Chapter. During the summer of 2003, she earned a scholarship to perform at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. Currently, Leigh resides in Oregon wine country.