Biography :
Meghan Gwyer graduated cum laude in May 2005 from the University of Maryland
with a BA in Harp Performance and a BS in Computer Science and Math. She
studied with Rebecca Anstine Smith. She has participated in master classes
with Elizabeth Hainen, Caitrin Finch, and Alice Chalifoux. Her previous instructor was Sonja Inglefield at the Peabody
Preparatory.
At Maryland, Meghan has played principle harp with both the Symphony and
Repertoire orchestras, Concert Band and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She has
had the opportunity to play continuo harp with the university production of
Handel's Giulio Caesare and with the Collegium Musicum. She has
performed in the chamber orchestras accompanying the Women's Choir and the
University Chorale. She has played in the orchestra pit or chamber ensembles of several
community productions. She has also performed in many chamber works with the
University Harp Ensemble, through private lessons, and through gigs. With her sister, Bridgett Gwyer,
and Catherine Meyer, she has performed many chamber ensemble and duet gigs throughout the Washington, DC area. She performed her
senior recital on May 21 2005 at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Laurel, MD. Additionally, she has competed in and won several local Scottish harp competitions.
Meghan has been working as a freelance harpist for several years as a student.
She has played in the orchestras for church and community productions. She
has also played in many weddings and provided service music and background music
for parties. She plays classical, celtic, and some popular tunes. She currently teaches private harp lessons at the Ottley Music School .
Meghan is available for gigs and evening private lessons in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas.
She can play both solo harp and ensemble, the most common being a flute and harp duo. Unless asked otherwise, she typically plays a mixture of celtic, classical, ancient, baroque, romantic, modern classical and popular tunes.
In addition to being a harpist, Meghan has taken lessons in piano and voice. She has been paid to sing at several weddings and is an experienced accompanist. She occasionally
substitutes as a pianist at local churches and was the pianist and assistant music director for the St. Philip's Episcopal Church Youth Choir in 2002.
Meghan's sister, Bridgett Gwyer (who is featured in many of the repertoire recordings), is a now member of a flute and guitar duo, Taliesen, located in Melbourne, Australia
