Rachel Ferris

Rachel Ferris

rachferr@hotmail.com

 (941) 284-4144

   418 Clay Street, Suite 401, San Antonio, TX, 78204

I am a professional harpist in San Antonio. I made San Antonio my home in 1999 after winning an audition for Principal Harp with the San Antonio Symphony. I enjoy a varied career here as an orchestral harpist, chamber musician, soloist, and collaborator with other local  performing arts groups. It has been exciting to watch the city grow and change, and I have always relished the opportunity to contribute to the cultural life of this community. I am originally from upstate New York, and began serious study of the harp at the Interlochen Arts Academy, a school for the arts in northern Michigan. From there, I continued my studies at the Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio, where I studied with longtime Cleveland Orchestra harpist and renowned pedagogue Alice Chalifoux. 
I have performed as a featured soloist with the San Antonio Symphony, Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, the Mid Texas Symphony, the Victoria Symphony, and Symphony Viva. My collaborations with several area chamber music groups include performances with the Olmos Ensemble, Camerata San Antonio, Musical Offerings, and the Cactus Pear Music Festival. As a lover of visual art, I have been fortunate to play in several area museums, including the San Antonio Museum of Art, the McNay Art Museum, and Ruby City. I look forward to continuing to bring harp music to this vibrant community.

Performance of Ravel's Introduction & Allegro with the Olmos Ensemble:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7qrf_kYT0

Excerpt from Melange, recording on the Centaur label:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjVSQRmv0qA