Cheryl Losey, Harp

Professional Bio

Cheryl Losey has earned distinction as one of America’s leading young harpists, receiving national and international awards, and performing in diverse settings around the world. She was a first prize winner and Grandjany Prize winner in the American Harp Society’s National Solo Competition, and first prize winner in the American String Teacher’s Association National Solo Competition. She was also a winner of the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Concerto Competition, and a prize winner in the Corpus Christi International Young Artists Competition, both open to all instrumentalists. Ms. Losey was the first harpist to receive the Presser Award from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Presser Music Publishing, the Institute’s highest performance-based award for undergraduates. Also from the Cleveland Institute of Music, she was recipient of the Jim Hall Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement and was three times awarded the Alice Chalifoux Prize in Harp. Ms. Losey recently performed by invitation in recital at the Kennedy Center in the Conservatory Project, a recital series showcasing the nation’s top young jazz and classical musicians. In May 2008, she was appointed Principal Harp of the Sarasota Orchestra following a national audition.  

Recent appearances include concerto performances with the National Repertory Orchestra under conductor Stefan Sanderling, and with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra under Andrew Grams. With the New England Youth Ensemble, she performed as a soloist in eleven different countries in venues such as the Sydney Opera House and St. Martin in the Fields. Festival credits include summers performing with the National Repertory Orchestra, the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, the Spoleto Music Festival, the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, and with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas throughout South America. As an orchestral harpist, she has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, New World Symphony, Red {An Orchestra}, and The Cleveland Pops, under conductors such as Michael Tilson-Thomas, Valery Gergiev, Gustavo Dudamel, and Franz Welser-Most. An active chamber musician, she has collaborated with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, was a guest artist at the Tanglewood Music Center, and is a founding member of the Cleveland-based new music ensemble Five-One. Ms. Losey has been a featured artist on the classical music station WCLV Cleveland, and the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.  

Ms. Losey received her Master of Music degree in May of 2008 as a harp student of soloist and recording artist Yolanda Kondonassis at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she also received her Bachelors Degree. She previously studied with Jeanne Chalifoux, Jara Goodrich, and legendary harp pedagogue Alice Chalifoux at the Salzedo Harp Colony. Ms. Losey is a native of Harpswell, Maine where she began study of the harp at age five.

Personal Bio

What is your proudest musical moment / accomplishment?
The moment when I was offered the job with the Sarasota Orchestra. It was such a complete surprise and came at the perfect time. I feel so lucky to have been given the chance to make a living doing and sharing what I love more than anything! A close second is getting to perform with The Cleveland Orchestra who are my musical gods.  

What non-musical accomplishment are you most proud of?
Raising money for and helping build an orphanage in Zimbabwe.  

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a musician?
Although I honestly can't imagine doing anything else with my life besides music, one career I am very interested in is public health, particularly in developing countries.  

Who is your favorite composer and why?
It's a four-way tie! Bach because he writes what is the essence of music--brilliant structure that you don't even notice because of the beauty. Mahler because he shows the intense glory and tragedy of life in a way that makes you completely forget the outside world. Stravinsky because his rhythm and creativity makes you feel totally alive. Ravel because he shows the world and our experiences in techni-color!  

Which piece of music holds the most meaning for you and why?
Probably this little piece by Carlos Salzedo called “Minuet." I learned it when I was 11 or 12, and it was the first piece that I really connected with and felt. I remember playing it at my teacher's harp recital where an older woman came up to me and told me that she could tell I was different from the moment I walked onto the stage -- that I truly loved what I was doing. I realized when she said that that I really did!! 

When not rehearsing or performing, I spend my time:
practicing, watching The Office, enjoying the beaches and ocean in Sarasota and trying to calm down my ridiculous cat.  

When in the car, I listen to:
NPR!! Either on the radio or pod cast. All Things Considered and This American Life are my favorites!  

My favorite holiday traditions are:
Christmas Eve services and the food! And, I love buying presents.

My dream is to:
become moderately proficient in the kitchen. 

What I like best about the Sarasota / Manatee area is:
the ocean! Growing up in coastal Maine, it was hard to spend five years landlocked in Cleveland for school. It's amazing to walk outside my apartment and see the Gulf!  

People are surprised when they learn this about me:
I was home schooled. Yes, whatever joke you have about it I have probably heard it!!